Barnes took his usual position between the windows and the bed. Mr. Van Patten turned to face him.
“Joe,” he began, “I lost five years of you out of my life and I’ve been wondering just how far I’m to blame for it.”
“But that’s all over with now,” suggested Barnes.
“As far as I’m concerned. But there’s you—I don’t want you to suffer what I suffered. I want you to learn.”
“As a son, I’ve learned,” answered Barnes.
“But not as a father, Joe. I suppose some day you’ll marry.”
“Marry?”
“And have a son of your own.”
“It—it doesn’t sound probable just at present,” answered Barnes.
“Well, you will, my boy. And the best I can pray for you is that you’ll find another woman like your mother.”