As Penny offered it to him, the doorbell rang. Mrs. Weems was busy in the kitchen so the girl arose and went to answer it. Jay Franklin stood on the porch.
“Good morning,” he said in a hard voice. “Is your father here?”
“Yes, he is eating breakfast,” Penny responded. “Won’t you come in, please?”
Mr. Franklin walked ahead of her into the living room.
“Good morning, Jay,” called the editor, who was able to see the caller from his chair at the breakfast table. “Will you have a cup of coffee with us?”
Ignoring the invitation, Mr. Franklin entered the dinette, blocking the doorway. From his pocket he took a copy of the morning Star.
“Parker,” he said curtly, “I’ve just read your editorial and I demand an explanation! Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Written a pretty fair stickful—or so my daughter tells me,” Mr. Parker smiled undisturbed.
“You’ve deliberately tried to smear me,” the real estate man accused.
“I don’t recall that your name was mentioned in the editorial.”