As Stuart was about to leave for his office the doctor entered. His bloodshot eyes were sunken deep behind his brows, his face haggard and his shoulders drooped. Stuart knew he had tramped the streets all night in a stupor of hopeless misery.
He stared at the young lawyer as if he didn't recognize him and then said feebly:
"Don't go yet, my boy, wait a few moments. I just want to know that you're here."
Stuart took his outstretched hand, and led him into the library. "I know why you tramped the streets; the old house is very lonely."
The father placed his hand on his head, exclaiming:
"I never knew what loneliness meant before!" The big hand fell in a gesture of despair. "It's dark and cold, I'm slipping down into a bottomless pit. There's not a soul in heaven or earth or hell to whom I can cry for help or pity."
Stuart pressed his hand.
"I understand. I'm younger than you, Doctor, but I, too, have walked that way, the via dolorosa alone."
The older man glared at him with a wild look in his eyes.
"But you don't understand; that's what's the matter, and I can't tell you. I'm alone, I tell you, alone in a world of cold and darkness."