"Think badly of your father?"
"No, daddy, no," and the child's arms were thrown about Jim's shaking body.
Petrie touched Jim's arm quietly. "You're robbing your child of his manifest destiny."
"What do you want?"
"Send the little man home with me."
With eyes almost blinded with emotion, Jim looked into Petrie's face. "Have you any children, Petrie?"
The solicitor shook his head, and in Jim's words, "I knew it—I knew it," he understood what he meant.
Like a father who sympathizes, yet must be firm in his efforts to convince his son of his wisdom, Petrie spoke.
"I am thinking of Hal's future, as the friend and adviser of your family. I am thinking coldly, perhaps, but, believe me, kindly."
Jim could not doubt his sincerity. He buried his head against the child. "You don't know what a lonely life I led until Hal was born, and how lonely I'll be when he is gone."