He hoped the time would come when he could get something for his boy, but, for the present, he could engage in no struggle for reclaiming and maintaining his rights.

He believed that an attempt to do it would again drive him to distraction, and that, somehow, Mr.Belcher would get the advantage of him.

His fear of the great proprietor had become morbidly acute, and Mr.Balfour could make no headway against it.

It was prudent to let the matter drop for a while.
Then Mr.Balfour opened his heart in regard to the boy.

He told Benedict of the loss with which he had already acquainted Jim, of the loneliness of his remaining son, of the help that Harry could afford him, the need in which the lad stood of careful education, and the accomplishments he could win among better opportunities and higher society.