It seemed uncompromisingly legal, binding as the death seal placed upon all life.

He looked at Mary V's father, and it seemed that he, too, was stern and uncompromising as the agreement he had drawn.

Johnny's shoulders went back automatically.

He reached across the desk for a pen.
"There will have to be witnesses," said Sudden, and opened a door and called for his wife and Bedelia.

Until they came Johnny sat staring at the bill of sale as though he meant to commit it to memory.