"You probably will hear from him soon, then?"
"Why, yes, if what he says is true?"
Bauer all through this talk with Walter never mentioned his father's name directly but spoke of him using the personal pronoun.
"What do you suppose the patent is worth?"
"I have no imagination about it. But say, Walter, what do you think I ought to do about this letter?"
"I don't know. You have never told me——" Walter began slowly.
"I know, of course you can't advise me unless I tell you more. He—well, he deserted mother. She was involved in some similar disgrace. From all I could learn while in Washington that time I went, he turned over all his property to her. That was the only redeeming thing abut the wretched business. But at any rate he has been obliged to go back to his old law business. He is very capable. Brilliant. My mother—I can't talk of her."
Poor Bauer put his face in his hands. Walter was silent. What could anyone say?
After a little, Walter said gently, "Why do you hesitate about accepting your father's offer?"
"I don't wish to be under any obligations to him."