Part 28 (2/2)

Mrs. Downey sat with her hands folded in her lap, staring out the window after the retreating figure of Peter Jasko.

”No, it wasn't your fault, Penny.”

”He was angry at me because I've been helping Sara get in and out of the cabin. I never should have done it.”

”Perhaps not,” agreed Mrs. Downey, ”but it would have made no difference in regard to the lease. I've been expecting Jasko's decision. Even so, it comes as a blow. This last week I had been turning ideas over in my mind, trying to think of a way I could keep on here. Now everything is settled.”

Penny crossed the room and slipped an arm about the woman's shoulders.

”I'm as sorry as I can be.”

With a sudden change of mood, Mrs. Downey arose and gave Penny's hand an affectionate squeeze.

”Losing the lodge won't mean the end of the world,” she said lightly.

”While I may not be able to sell the place for a very good price now that the ski slopes are gone, I'll at least get something from Mr. Maxwell.

And I have a small income derived from my husband's insurance policy.”

”Where will you go if you leave here?”

”I haven't given that part any thought,” admitted Mrs. Downey. ”I may do a little traveling. I have a sister in Texas I might visit.”

”You'll be lonesome for Pine Top.”

”Yes,” admitted Mrs. Downey, ”this place will always seem like home to me. And I've lived a busy, useful life for so many years it will be hard to let go.”

”Possibly Peter Jasko will reconsider his decision.”

Mrs. Downey smiled and shook her head. ”Not Peter. I've known him for many years, although I can't say I ever became acquainted with him. Once he makes a stand nothing can sway him.”

”Is he entirely right in his mind?” Penny asked dubiously.

”Oh, yes. He's peculiar, that's all. And he's getting old.”

Despite Mrs. Downey's avowal that no one was responsible for Peter Jasko's decision, Penny considered herself at fault. She could not blame the old man for being provoked because she had helped his granddaughter escape from the cabin.

”If I went down there and apologized it might do some good,” she thought.

”At least, nothing will be lost by trying.”

Penny turned the plan over in her mind, saying nothing about it to Mrs.

Downey. It seemed to her that the best way would be to wait for a few hours until Peter Jasko had been given an opportunity to get over his anger.

The afternoon dragged on slowly. Toward nightfall, finding confinement intolerable, Penny ventured out-of-doors to try her skis. She was thrilled to discover that she could use them without too much discomfort.

Going to the kitchen window, she called to Mrs. Downey that she intended to do a little skiing and might be late for dinner.

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