"Father, I've come to see if I can be of any use," he said.
Mr. Fabian pushed his chair back and looked up at his visitor, the deep line in his forehead deeper.
"I know I have no experience, and little business sense; but if you'll take the trouble to explain the situation to me, I'll try to understand as I've never before tried to do anything; and I can at least carry out your instructions to the letter."
Mr. Fabian continued to gaze up into the sunburned face and the eyes that regarded him with steady purpose.
"I've lost a lot of money for you, my boy," he said. "Quite a half of everything I possessed."
"And come out clean," returned the other promptly. "Good for you."
Mr. Fabian kept silence, studying him for another space.
"My son," he said at last, slowly, as if to himself. "I have a son"; and he held out his hand.
Edgar clasped it in silence. Then he spoke again. "I haven't had any breakfast, and of course I couldn't sleep; so my head isn't worth much just now. Can you spare time to come out and talk to me while I eat, or shall I go alone?"