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!"