“In a ship?”
“No, not in a ship.”
“In a train?”
“Perhaps.”
“Take me with you, daddy.”
“I’m afraid I can’t, Bill.”
“Shan’t I ever see you again?”
Kirk winced. How direct children are! What was it they called it in the papers? “The custody of the child.” How little it said and how much it meant!
The sight of Bill’s wide eyes and quivering mouth reminded him that he was not the only person involved in the tragedy of those five words. He pulled himself together. Bill was waiting anxiously for an answer to his question. There was no need to make Bill unhappy before his time.
“Of course you will,” he said, trying to make his voice cheerful.