"That is different. It is really for your sake, my darling child. I have my reasons."
"Yes, I know, my poor, dear father. It is to enrich me that you devote so much time to your business. But what is the use of so much money? But you have told me nothing about yourself! What kind of a trip did you have this time?"
"A remarkably successful one."
"The roads were better this time, then, and you did not take cold? I am so glad, we had so many snow-storms last month. I used to say to Suzanne again and again while we were sitting by the fire warm and comfortable, 'I am afraid my poor dear father is shivering with cold and making only a couple of miles an hour on account of the snow.'"
"Don't worry any more, my dear child. The trip is over now, and it was not only less fatiguing than usual, but unusually profitable."
"Is that really so? Then why was your return so long delayed, father?"
"A complication of business interests, that is all."
"If you knew how uneasy I always am during your absence! It is foolish, I know, but I shall be spared all these fears hereafter, for you intend to keep your promise, do you not?"
"What promise?"
"Not to travel, or, rather, not to leave me any more."