Before I went up the last time, I wanted--" He paused abruptly, his face working and his lip quivering.
"Forgive me, my boy.

I'm a little weak." A few moments of silence and then he continued quietly: "I wanted you, Barry." The boy's hands were writhing under his knees, but his face and eyes were quite steady.
"I was terribly lonely.

I thought of that strange, dear bond that held us together, and then like a flash out of the sky came those great words: 'Like as a father pitieth his children,' and oh, boy, boy! It came to me then that as I feel toward my boy God feels toward me.

Barry, listen--" His voice fell to a whisper.

"I am God's son, as you are mine.