The girl looked long at him, looked with clear, calm eyes until the old man's pouter-pigeon effect disappeared.
"My dear! Forgive my vehemence. You see I think only of you. I was afraid——"
"Yes. What are you afraid of, father?" asked the girl swiftly. "Tell me that. I often wonder."
"Afraid? I?"
"Yes. I sometimes see it in your eyes when you think no one is looking. Have you done something——?"
"Child?"
"Land sales, for instance? If so, I must know. I'm not little Annette any longer. I must know things now."
The old man stroked his white beard nervously. His eyes shifted uneasily toward Payne.
"Oh! pardon my negligence," exclaimed the girl. "This is Mr. Payne, father. He's purchased a lot of land down here. Mr. Payne, this is my father, Senator Fairclothe."
Payne bowed automatically. He was dumbfounded for a moment, but in a flash his self-control had returned.