Sir Anthony assented, but he was preoccupied, tucking his long legs away under the seat of the little car. When he had time to look at his host, he found him gravely regarding him.
"You are like your father, just such another as he was at your age."
"I am glad you think so, sir. I am proud to be like him."
"Ah, he was a fine fellow, my lad."
"He never forgot you, sir, and your old friendship, though, as he said, you had chosen to bury yourself far away from your friends. He used to say that no man had more friends, or deserved them better."
"Did he say that?" and for a second Mr. Graydon's eyes were misty. "Ah, well! he showed he remembered me when he wished his boy to be in my hands."
"You are good to have me, sir."
"Not at all, my lad. I shall be very glad of your companionship, and shall feel sometimes as if it were Gerald Trevithick beside me as of old instead of his boy. And your mother? I hope you left Lady Jane well."
"Quite well, thank you, sir."
"And what did she think of her only son burying himself in the wilds of Ireland?"