Chapter 6 - The Bank’s LimitBack at the auction, Douglas Pryor was recalculating.
Ruth did not behave like a reckless teenager.
That bothered him.
Thomas confirmed the bids were legally backed.
Pryor raised the bank’s offer.
Ruth answered.
He raised again.
She answered again.
At fifteen thousand five hundred dollars, Pryor faced a choice.
Take the property into bank ownership.
Maintain it.
Resell later.
Accept the risks.
Or stop.
Ruth watched his hand.
It began to rise.
Then paused.
“Keep bidding,” Ruth said.
Quietly.
Pryor lowered his hand.
The gavel fell.
Ruth won.
Then came the paperwork.
Pryor read James Dillard’s name.
Edna recognized it.
Ruth explained.
“My father doesn’t want the farm.”
Pryor removed his glasses.
“Then why did you outbid the bank?”
“To clear the debt.”
“And then?”
“The title stays with Mrs. Calloway.”
“No lien?”
“No.”
“No ownership share?”
“No.”
“No repayment?”
“No.”
Pryor stared.
“What does your father receive?”
“Nothing.”
Edna turned away.
“I can’t.”
Ruth followed.
“My father knew you might say that.”
“He worked years for that money.”
“Yes.”
“It belongs to your family.”
Ruth swallowed.
Then repeated James’s message.
“Clyde never asked whether Dad could afford to get sick.”
Edna closed her eyes.
Ruth continued.
“He helped because Dad needed help.”
Edna looked toward the dry land.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
Ruth answered:
“Keep farming.”
By late afternoon, the bank debt had been satisfied.
The foreclosure was terminated.
The title remained with Edna.
Victor Hale drove away without apologizing.
May you like
Ruth barely watched him leave.
The man who had slapped her had become the least important person in the yard.
Related Stories
