Besides, there was her dad, who had gone to all that trouble and expense for him, not so much as getting a word of thanks or appreciation from Johnny.

Instead of coming right away to see her dad, he was down there fooling with the boys.

What, for gracious sake, ailed Johnny lately?
He ought to have a good talking to, she decided.

Perhaps her dad could talk some sense into him--she was sure that she couldn't.
So she stopped her dad when he was on the point of going down where Johnny was, and she told him what perfectly crazy ideas Johnny had, and how he had refused to listen to a word she said, but instead had taken up with Bland Halliday again.

And wouldn't dad please talk to Johnny?
"He keeps harping on owing you for those horses he lost," she said impatiently.