“Yes,” continued my father, “somebody must have dropped it. A good specimen—a very good specimen indeed.”
Just then he raised his eyes, and caught me gazing at him wistfully.
“Hallo!” he said, “what does that mean? Why are you looking so serious and strange?”
“Was I, father?”
“Yes, sir: of course you were. No nonsense. Speak out like a man, and a gentleman. Not quite the same thing, Sep, for a gentleman is not always a thorough man; but a thorough man is always a gentleman. Now, what is it?”
I did not answer.
“Come, Sep,” he said sharply, “you’re getting a great fellow now, and I want you, the bigger you grow, the more frank and open. I don’t want you to grow into one of those men who look upon their father as someone to be cheated and blinded in every way, instead of as their truest and firmest friend and adviser. Now, sir, you have something on your mind.”
“Yes, father,” I said slowly.
“Hah! I thought as much. In mischief yesterday?”
“I’m afraid so, father.”