They went back to the main room and Ernest read a little more to the young boy. But Frank’s eyes grew heavy and he finally dropped off to sleep.
“Shall I lay him on the bed, Mr. Fox?” asked Ernest.
“No, I will do so.”
He took the boy tenderly in his arms.
“If I had known he would fall asleep I would have undressed him,” he said.
After placing the boy on the bed he resumed his seat in the armchair and began to smoke. Finally he looked over at Ernest.
“Do you like my little boy?” he asked abruptly.
“He is a dear little fellow,” answered Ernest.
“So he is,” said the father in a soft voice. “You have no prejudice against him because he is my son?”
“No,” answered Ernest. “Whatever you are he is not responsible.”