“I wanted to talk to yuh, Merrick,” he said slowly. “This sure has been a blow to me. Laura Hatton wants Peggy to go home with her. I dunno—mebbe’s it’s the best thing to do. I don’t mind layin’ my cards on the table.”
Jim Wheeler looked up at Merrick.
“I owe the Pinnacle City bank seven thousand dollars and I can’t ask ’em for any more, Merrick.”
“Uh-huh.” Merrick did not seem impressed.
“You know what the HJ ranch is, Merrick. Seven thousand is a lot of money against it. I’ve got to have another thousand, if I send Peggy back with Laura.”
“Well, I might let yuh have it, Jim. Bank got a mortgage?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I’ll take your note. How soon do yuh need it?”
“Any time in the next couple of days.”
“All right, I’ll let yuh have it, Jim.”