"Oh, I can go."
"Can you?"
"John, your irritability has irritated everybody on the place. You have poisoned our atmosphere. I will leave you."
"Thank you," said the Judge, examining the document before him. After a time, and still without looking up, he added: "Still here?"
"I have just come in, sir," said Howard. The Judge looked up.
"I thought it was William."
"He has just gone out. And I have come to beg your pardon for what I said at breakfast. I didn't mean to worry you; I—"
"It is unnecessary to beg my pardon, sir."
"I hope not." He moved closer, with one hand resting upon the table. "Father, something is wrong, and—"
"Most decidedly."