"Tell her I'll let you if she will." At another time Mary V would have deeply resented the implication that she never approached her dad save when she wanted something; or more likely she would have stated her want before her dad had time to speak.
Just now she was hopefully watching a buzzard that sailed on outstretched, rigid wings, high in the sky.

It seemed to be circling toward the ranch, and it looked like an airplane flying very high.
Mary V's heart forgot to beat while she watched it.

But the buzzard sighted something, flapped its wings and went off in another direction, and the girl winced as though some one had dropped a leaden weight on her chest.
"Dad!" The voice did not sound like Mary V's, and her father ducked his head out where he could look up at her with startled attention.

"We must have the car--and all the boys--and get out and find Johnny.
He--he started in his airplane, to come to the ranch.

And they haven't seen him since last night, and--and you know what happened at Sinkhole!" Sudden got heavily to his feet and stood looking down at her, his whimsical mouth slack with dismay.