The real estate man made no attempt to hide his annoyance. “My dear Mrs. Van Cleve,” he said, “the deal already has been completed. I have tried to remain patient, but really this is too much.”
On the table lay several typewritten papers. Clipped neatly to the uppermost one, was the cheque endorsed by Mrs. Van Cleve. Mr. Blake reached to take possession of it, but his move was deliberate. Acting impulsively, Penny darted forward and seized the bit of paper. To the horror of everyone in the tent, she tore the cheque into a dozen pieces and tossed them into the air.
“There!” she announced, a trifle stunned by her own act.
“Penelope, you shouldn’t have done that,” Mrs. Van Cleve reproved, but she smiled faintly.
“You are an outrageous child!” Mr. Blake exclaimed, losing his temper. “What do you expect to accomplish by such a stupid trick? Mrs. Van Cleve will merely write out another cheque.”
“Well, under the circumstance, it might be better to wait,” the club woman demurred. “I really shouldn’t have acted without consulting Mr. Parker.”
“Unless the transaction is completed now I shall have nothing to do with the dedication,” Mr. Blake declared. “I shall decline to make my speech.”
Penny’s broad grin made it clear that she thought the loss would not be a great one.
“Furthermore, I shall ask that my recent donation be returned,” Mr. Blake resumed severely. “I shall withdraw this property for sale—”
“You will withdraw it!” Penny caught him up. “I thought you merely were acting as the agent for Benjamin Bowman!”