LXVI.
WARM HEARTS, HOT WORDS, COOL FRIENDS
About that same hour the next day John stepped off the train at Suez and turned to let Fannie down; but a pair of uplifted arms came between the two, and Launcelot Halliday, with the back of his velvet coat close to the young man's face, said, "I'll take care of my daughter, John; you can look after any business of your own that may need you."
"Why, Pop!" exclaimed Fannie. The color flushed up to her brows. John gazed at him in haughty silence.
"Come on, Johanna," said the old General, heartily. "Good-by, John. When can I see you in your office?"
"Whenever I'm there, and not too busy!" replied March as he strode away.
"We'll go to the old house for to-night, Johanna," said Fannie, and did not speak again until she began to draw off her gloves in her father's parlor. Her face was white, her dark eyes wide; but her voice was slow and kind.
"Yes, Johanna, go along to my room. I'll be there directly." She shut the door and folded her gloves, smiling like a swordsman rolling up his sleeves.
"Pop, I've owed you a-many an explanation that I've never paid. You never owed me one in your life till now; but"—her eyes flashed—"you owe it this time to the roots of your hair."