"I had to make her feel the noose, I mean the chair," he went on in those thick, mumbling tones, "and that she'd have to choose between that and a decent Christian home—like the home her mother had. She was a wonderful woman, your mother," he wandered off abruptly. "If she'd only understood me—seen what it was I was trying to do—for American shipping—Yankee sails!" He sank down in his chair exhausted, and I noticed he was breathing hard. "I'm all right, my boy, I'm quite all right——"
With a sudden rush of pity and of love and deep alarm, I bent gently over him:
"Of course you are—why Dad, old boy—just take it easy—quiet, you know—we're going to pull right out of this——"
The tears welled suddenly up in his eyes:
"I'm lonely, boy—I'm glad you're here!"
Presently I went down to Sue:
"When is the doctor coming next?"
"Not till this afternoon," she said.
"I'll be home to-night for supper. Phone me what he says."
"All right—where are you going now? To Joe?"