"I heard her, but I'd ruther sit right where I am."

She appeared in the doorway, flushed and angry.

"William," she commanded, "you come straight
out here to the kitchen. I got a question for you."

"I'll stay just where I am for a spell," he replied,
avoiding her gaze.

"You do as I tell you right off."

A stubborn expression settled over his face and
shoulders. He made her no further reply. Rose's
anger gathered in a tempest that she tried in vain to
restrain.

"William," she demanded, "where is it? It's
gone, you know what."

"I ain't seen it," he answered finally; "I really
ain't, Rose."

"That's a story, only you knew. Come out
here."

"Get along," Gordon interrupted testily. "How
can I figure in this ruction?"

"I ain't agoing a step," William told them both;
"I'm going to stop right here with Uncle Gordon."

"Well, then," the latter insisted, "get it through
with -- what is it?"

"I'll tell you what it is," William Vibard stammered;
"it's a hundred and forty dollars Rose held
out on you and kept in a drawer, that's what!"

Rose's emotion changed to a crimson consternation.

[[315]]

p314 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p315w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p316

v?