You will be glad to hear that Anthony, though he did shirk the welcome on

the quay, behaved admirably, with the simplicity of a man who has no

small meannesses and makes no mean reservations. His eyes did not flinch

and his tongue did not falter. He was, I have it on the best authority,

admirable in his earnestness, in his sincerity and also in his restraint.

He was perfect. Nevertheless the vital force of his unknown

individuality addressing him so familiarly was enough to fluster Mr.

Smith. Flora saw her father trembling in all his exiguous length, though

he held himself stiffer than ever if that was possible. He muttered a

little and at last managed to utter, not loud of course but very

distinctly: "I am here under protest," the corners of his mouth sunk

disparagingly, his eyes stony. "I am here under protest. I have been

locked up by a conspiracy. I--"

He raised his hands to his forehead--his silk hat was on the table rim

upwards; he had put it there with a despairing gesture as he came in--he

raised his hands to his forehead. "It seems to me unfair. I--" He

broke off again. Anthony looked at Flora who stood by the side of her

father.

"Well, sir, you will soon get used to me. Surely you and she must have

had enough of shore-people and their confounded half-and-half ways to

last you both for a life-time. A particularly merciful lot they are too.

You ask Flora. I am alluding to my own sister, her best friend, and not

a bad woman either as they go."

The captain of the Ferndale checked himself. "Lucky thing I was there

to step in. I want you to make yourself at home, and before long--"

The faded stare of the Great de Barral silenced Anthony by its

inexpressive fixity. He signalled with his eyes to Flora towards the

door of the state-room fitted specially to receive Mr. Smith, the free

man. She seized the free man's hat off the table and took him

caressingly under the arm. "Yes! This is home, come and see your room,

papa!"

Anthony himself threw open the door and Flora took care to shut it

carefully behind herself and her father. "See," she began but desisted

because it was clear that he would look at none of the contrivances for

his comfort. She herself had hardly seen them before. He was looking

only at the new carpet and she waited till he should raise his eyes.

He didn't do that but spoke in his usual voice. "So this is your

husband, that . . . And I locked up!"




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