“No, sir.”
“You are going to be an honorable and truthtelling young gentleman from now on?”
“I will try, sir,” said Lanny.
“I, too, used to have the same thought upon occasions,” said the munitions king. Was it wistfulness or was it humor in his soft voice? “However, I found that it would be necessary for me to retire from my present business — and unfortunately it is the only one I have.”
Lanny didn't know how to reply, so there was another silence.
When Zaharoff spoke again, it was in a business-like tone. “Young man, you say that your father told you to state the facts.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then tell me: does your father wish to see me?”
“Not that I know of, sir.”
“You don't think that he sent you here for that purpose?”