“As I remember your father, he had no occasion to 263 be ashamed of anything, except, possibly, some of his acquaintances. So David is dead.”

“My father was a man who kept good company to the day of his death.”

“He was a very kind-hearted man, and such cannot always keep what you term ‘good company.’ May I ask you to send here some worthy lawyer or trustworthy justice of the peace? I have some transactions which I wish to discuss with such a person. You, being the son of your father, I know will do that for me.”

“Where and when did you know my father?”

“More than twenty years ago in London. When did he die, Rodney?”

“He was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant at the time we were out in the Ohio country.”

“Four years ago. Do you come often to the camp?”

“Frequently.”

“Will it be asking too much for you to look in on me, as they say?”

“I will do as you wish.”