"I have heard so."
"But you did not know that I have a son about your own age?"
"No, I didn't know that," returned Gerald, his face showing his amazement. "Why have I never seen the boy? Why did you not bring him here?" he asked.
"Your father thought it was not best. He thought you and Abel might not agree."
"Am I so difficult to get along with, then?"
"Ahem! You are very independent and self-opinioned."
"And Abel?"
"He has quite a proper pride. You would probably have made him feel that he was in an inferior position, and then there would have been trouble."
"Still I don't see why his existence should have been concealed from me?"
"Your father thought it best."