He saw the look of alarm in Mr. Leigh's eyes change to fear, and then to something worse.
“What—what—” gasped the old man.
“Oh, I wanted to see you,” said Tommy, and shook his father's icy-cold hand violently.
“Has the company—Have you—lost your position?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?” The old man's voice still betrayed apprehension, but on his face was a stem frown.
“I'll tell you—after supper.”
“No, no; I must know at once! What is it, Thomas?”
He walked into the old-fashioned front parlor and confronted his son. Tommy saw the old man who was his father, took in the pale face and the tightly compressed lips.
It was a signed confession. His heart sank, but it came back, buoyed on the ocean of love and pity and tenderness that filled his soul.