I begged him to go ahead, for I wanted to hear his philosophy. He said, "From the time we take on family responsibilities, we all fear two afflictions. One is the future breaking up of our intimate family after our children have left us. The other is our fear of old age, want, and dependence. "You, our children, before your birth fed from your mother's body. You were born through her life and death struggles. You were nursed from her breasts until at times she felt faint. You kept her awake at night and gave her no rest during the day. She mothered you, nourished you, and nursed you day and night during your sicknesses. Watching over you like a guardian angel, she gave you her mother love, affection, and protection. "You took all the necessities, and even the luxuries your father offered you, always desiring more, never questioning how difficult it was to provide them. He worked willingly day and night to give you happiness. He gave you his full love, and protection. He sacrificed his rest and pleasures to guard over you. He provided you with tennis courts, and when he could, automobiles. He never denied you education or necessities. When he could, he gave you greater luxuries. He surrounded you with servants, nursemaids, and governesses. For your enjoyment, he gave you the most expensive toys, ponies, and all your heart's desires. For your social contacts and for your health, he sent you for entire summers to the seashore, farm, or mountains. "Some of us parents have done a great deal for you, others less. Nevertheless, most of us gave all we could afford. We may have been a bit severe at times in disciplining you, but it was for your own good. Your happiness and security always came first. "The natural law of reproduction is inexorable, and among animals the parental feeling is not so developed as it is among human beings. Just as soon as animal offspring are physically able to shift for themselves, they are abandoned. But it is not so among us intelligently developed human beings. "You cannot hide behind the saying that since you did not ask us to bring you into the world, we are not your responsibility; therefore, you are released from any moral obligation to us. No, you are accountable to us, and you should justly return the love, affection, and protection that we bestowed upon you.