"I'm a monkey," he said to himself, "if that young man isn't on some such errand as took his sister to the same place an hour ago. If he is, God help him! for Jacob's still sore all over with the news from the front stoop."
Jack knocked, and his father, who had settled himself for five minutes' hard thinking, rapped out: "Who's there?"
"It's Jack. May I come in?"
"Come on," said his father grimly, "I am—" but catching sight of his son's face he stopped short.
"Father?"
"What?" snapped Rivett senior, instinctively squaring his shoulders.
"May I talk to you as two men ought to talk together, or must I assume the attitude of a child to its father?"
"Talk as you feel. I had a notion that you were still my son—maybe I'm mistaken. In that case you may try to bully me if you care to. Go on."
"I didn't mean that, dad."
"I know you didn't; but you've come in here with your mind already made up that I won't do what you want me to do. That's no good, Jack. Go into everything cocksure that you'll win out. It's the only way you stand any chance at all. Proceed."