A sudden sickness ran through the lawyer and sapped his strength. He leaned against the desk uncertainly. It had come at last. The whole world would learn the truth about him. The Merrills, the Fromes, Valencia Van Tyle—all of them would know it and scorn him.
“What are you doing here?” James heard himself say hoarsely.
“Why, I—I—I came to see my son.”
“What for?”
Before so harsh and abrupt a reception the weak smile went out like a blown candle.
“I thought you'd be glad to see me—after so many years.”
“Why should I be glad to see you? What have you ever done for me but disgrace me?”
Tears showed in the watery eyes. “That's right. It's gospel truth, I reckon.”
“And now, when I've risen above it, so that all men respect me, you come back to drag me down.”
“No—no, I wouldn't do that, son.”