The blame, however, may lie in part at the parent’s door. The hearts of the fathers need turning to the children, as much as the hearts of the children need turning to the fathers. Few men open up to their children; and where a man does not, the schism, the separation begins with him, for all his love be deep and true. That it is unmanly to show one’s feelings, is a superstition prevalent with all English-speaking people. Now, wherever feeling means weakness, falsehood, or excitement, it ought not merely not be shown, but not to exist; but for a man to hide from his son his loving and his loathing, is to refuse him the divinest fashion of teaching. Richard read the best things, and loved best the best writers: never once had he read a poem with his son, or talked to him about any poet! If Walter had even suspected his father’s insight into certain things, he would have loved him more. Closely bound as they were, neither knew the other. Each would have been astonished at what he might have found in the other. The father might have discovered many handles by which to lay hold of his son; the son might have seen the lamp bright in his father’s chamber which he was but trimming in his. CHAPTER XI. THE SONG. AT length came the summons from Lady Lufa to hear her music to his verses. It was not much of a song, neither did he think it was. Mist and vapor and cloud Filled the earth and the air! My heart was wrapt in a shroud. And death was everywhere. The sun went silently down To his rest in the unseen wave; But my heart, in its purple and crown. Lay already in its grave. For a cloud had darkened the brow Of the lady who is my queen; I had been a monarch, but now All things had only been! I sprung from the couch of death: Who called my soul? Who spake? No sound! no answer! no breath! Yet my soul was wide awake! And my heart began to blunder Into rhythmic pulse the while; I turned--away was the wonder-- My queen had begun to smile! Outbrake the sun in the west! Outlaughed the crested sea! And my heart was alive in my breast With light, and love, and thee! There was a little music in the verses, and they had a meaning--though not a very new or valuable one. He went in the morning--the real, not the conventional--and was shown into the drawing-room, his heart beating with expectation. Lady Lufa was alone, and already at the piano. She was in a gray stuff with red rosebuds, and looked as simple as any country parson’s daughter. She gave him no greeting beyond a little nod, at once struck a chord or two, and began to sing.