Van der Welcke stared and continued to stare, motionless; and a sob welled up in his breast. His eyes, which were like a child's with their ever youthful glance, filled with great tears. Nevertheless, he controlled himself, remained calm; and all that he said, quite calmly, was:
"Addie, does Mamma.... know?"
"No, Daddy.... I wanted to tell you first ... and to bring you ... the old man's message and...."
"Yes?"
"His forgiveness...."
Van der Welcke's head drooped lower still; and the great tears fell to the floor. Addie now rose and went up to his father:
"Daddy...."
"My boy ... my boy!"
"The old man sent you this message: 'Tell your father ... that I forgive him ... and tell your mother so ... too....'"
Addie flung his arm round his father's neck; and Van der Welcke now sobbed on his son's breast. He could restrain himself no longer. He gave one great, loud sob, clutching hold of his own son, like a child.... Had it not always been like that, the child the consoler of his father? The son now his mother's consoler?