Penny did not listen. She kept gazing at the coupe as one who had been hypnotized.
“I’d take it in a minute, only I don’t have twenty-five dollars in cash.”
“How much can you raise?” asked the dealer.
“Not more than five dollars, I’m afraid. But my father is publisher of the Riverview Star.”
Jake Harriman’s brows unknitted as if by magic.
“Anthony Parker’s daughter,” he said, smiling. “That’s plenty good enough for me. I’ll sell you the best car on the lot for nothing down. Just come inside the office and sign a note for the amount. Will that be okay?”
Disregarding Louise’s whispered protests, Penny assured the dealer that the arrangement would be perfectly satisfactory. The note was signed, and five dollars in cash given to bind the bargain.
“I’ll throw in a few gallons of gas,” the man offered.
However, Jake Harriman’s gasoline did not seem suited to Leaping Lena’s dyspeptic ignition. She coughed feebly once or twice and then died for the day.
“You have acquired a bargain, I must say!” exclaimed Louise. “You can’t even get the car home.”