You will doubtless remember our conversation ?" Burton welcomed his visitor civilly and motioned him to a seat.

He was conscious of feeling a little disturbed.

Mr.Bomford brought him once more into touch with memories which were ever assailing him by night and by day.
"I have taken the liberty of calling upon you, Mr.Burton," the newcomer continued, setting down his silk hat upon a corner of the table, and lifting his coat-tails preparatory to sinking into a chair, "because I believe that in the excitement of our conversation a few nights ago, we did not do adequate justice to the sentiments which--er--provoked our offer to you." Mr.Bomford sat down with the air of a man who has spoken well.

He was thoroughly pleased with his opening sentence.
"It did not occur to me," Burton replied, "that there was any possibility of misunderstanding anything you or Professor Cowper said.
Still, it is very kind of you to come and see me." Alfred, who was drawing in colored chalks at the other end of the room, rose up and approached his father.
"Would you like me to go into the other room, father ?" he asked.

"I can leave my work quite easily for a time, and I have several books there." Mr.Bomford screwed an eyeglass into his eye and looked across at the child.
"What an extraordinarily--forgive my remark, Mr.Burton--but what an extraordinarily well-behaved child! Is it possible that this is your boy ?" Alfred turned his head and there was no doubt about the relationship.
He, too, possessed the deep-set eyes with their strange, intense glow, the quivering mouth, the same sensitiveness of outline.
"Yes, this is my son," Burton admitted, quietly.