“Well, what about that?”
“You understand what it means—the closing of the shops?”
“Oh, I guess that's a long ways off.”
He stalked over to the door with his head in the air. He was mad clear through. At the door he turned. Hoadley's retention meant more to him than he would have admitted. It was not that he cared a rap for Hoadley. On the contrary, he detested him, but the fellow was a power in country politics.
“If you should think better of it—” and he was conscious his manner was weak with the weakness of the man who has asked and failed.
“I sha'n't,” retorted Oakley, laconically.
He scouted the idea that Ryder, with his little country newspaper could either help or harm him.