As he reached the graveyard gate in departing his mood lightened.
"An' now gen'lemen," he said to himself, "is come to pa-ass the ve-y nick an' keno o' time faw a fresh staht. Frien' Gyarnit, we may be happy yit."
He came up behind Fair and March. Fair was speaking of Fannie.
"But where was she? I didn't see her."
"Oh, she stayed at Rosemont to look after the house."
"The General tells me his daughter is to be married to Mr. Ravenel in March."
John gave an inward start, but was silent for a moment. Then he said, absently,
"So that's out, is it?" But a few steps farther on he touched Fair's arm.
"Let's go—slower." His smile was ashen. "I—h—I don't know why in the devil I have these sickish feelings come on me at f-funerals." They stopped. "Humph! Wha'd' you reckon can be the cause of it—indigestion?"
Mr. Fair thought it very likely, and March said it was passing off already.