The Colonel, startled from his revery, looked up at his son with his sweet smile.
"Why, yes, my boy,—I wasn't doing much, and I had something to say to you.
Sit down. You got away from home early this morning."
He glanced inquiringly at his son's white, set face and tense lips. Playing with his eye-glasses, he began to talk lightly of other matters, as was his wont when he felt the coming of a storm.
Vickers listened patiently, staring straight across his father to the wall, and when the Colonel came to a full pause,
"Father, you said you were ready for me to take a vacation. I must go at once, to-day if possible. And, father, I can't come back."
The old man moved slightly in his chair. It was his intention to offer the young man his freedom, but it hurt him to have it taken for granted in this light manner. He waited.
"Something has happened," Vickers continued in a low voice, "something which will alter my whole life."
The Colonel still waited.
"I love a woman, and I must take her away from here at once."
"Who is she?" the old man asked gently.