“I thought you said you only intended to go for a little drive—to quiet your nerves,” Penny reminded her.
“That’s what I meant.” Mrs. Deline tossed her cigarette through the open window and stepped on the car starter. “I intend to go too.”
Penny, equally determined, switched off the ignition.
“Why, how dare you!” Mrs. Deline turned furiously upon the girl. “In all my life I never met such a spoiled child.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t allow you to take the car.”
Mrs. Deline swung open the door on Penny’s side of the seat. She reached as if to push the girl out of the car.
Just then a man stepped from one of the hotel garages. Obviously he had been listening to the conversation, for he deliberately approached the car.
“Anything wrong here?” he inquired.
Penny recognized one of the night hotel clerks. She began to tell him of the disagreement between herself and Mrs. Deline.
“This child doesn’t know what she’s talking about!” the widow declared irritably. “Mr. Parker doesn’t mind if I use the car.”