“I could tell by the way he acted tonight. He respects a person who stands up to him.”
“I said some rather unnecessary things,” Penny declared regretfully. “I was provoked because he wouldn’t sign a lease with Mrs. Downey. After hearing what he said to Fergus and Maxwell I realize nothing will sway him.”
Sara sighed as she helped her friend put on her shoe again.
“I’m afraid not. I’ll do what I can to influence him, but I can tell you now he’ll never listen to me. Grandfather is just the way he is, and one can’t budge him an inch.”
Peter Jasko soon had the team hitched to the bob-sled. He and Sara helped Penny in, wrapping blankets around her so that she would be snug and warm during the ride up the mountain.
“Come down again whenever you can,” invited Sara. “Only the next time don’t try it after dark if you’re on skis.”
Penny glanced at the old man, but his face showed no displeasure. Apparently, he no longer regarded her as an interloper.
“I’ll come as soon as I can,” she replied.
Peter Jasko clucked to the horses, and the sled moved away from the cabin. Sara stood in the doorway until it was out of sight.
During the slow ride up the mountain side, the old man did not speak. But as they came at last to the Downey lodge, and he lifted her from the sled, he actually smiled.