Slade laughed. "Nice filial sort of statement, that; but don't mind me. If you suit Laura's taste, I'll swallow you, too. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that I'm making a goodish thing of it myself just now. Kate—I beg your pardon—Miss O'Neill pays me my regular screw, and in addition gives me a nice sum down on every property I've bought for her, and a tidy block of shares when there's a company floated. I shall be able to give you and Laura a decent wedding present—in script. By the way, is she at Smooth River?"
"No, Grand Canary."
Slade stiffened. "How's that?"
"Africa wasn't safe for her. You ought to be dam' well ashamed of yourself for leaving her here. You knew the danger from old Kallee a big sight better than she did. And you left her without a cent to get away with and not an ounce of credit."
"Then," said Slade stiffly, "do I understand that she's gone to the islands at your expense?"
"You can understand what you please," said Carter truculently.
"Are you married to her?"
"I am not at present. I shall be as soon as it suits Laura's convenience and my own."
"You will kindly understand that I resent your interference with my finances and my daughter's."
"You may resent," said the prospective son-in-law, "till you're black in the face, and I shan't lose sleep over it."