"If you do," she said slowly, "I shall use it to make restitution, as far as I can, to the people it—it came from." She added, almost breathlessly, "Why not do that now, father? It's the thing I've been wanting to ask you, but have not dared."
"I have not noticed any lack of daring," he observed grimly.
There was a brief silence. "Then this is all," she said.
Suddenly she stretched out her arms to him, and tears sprang into her eyes. "Forgive me, father!—forgive me!"
Standing very erect, his hands folded before him, he gazed fixedly into her imploring face while his mind comprehended their new relations.
She dared a step nearer and laid a hand upon his arm. "Forgive me—won't you please, father?" she whispered.
His face twitched, and he put his hands on her shoulders almost convulsively. "You're taking my heart out!" he said huskily.
"Forgive me!" she sobbed. "I can't help it! I'm the way God made me."
"And God made you very much like your mother," he said, his mind running back to scenes not unlike this. He drew her to him and she flung her arms about his neck and they kissed.
"I love my father—I always shall—it's the business man that"—but her voice trailed away into sobs.