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 arm-chair 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."