“What else could I think when you--” “Wait! And so, my son, all these months in Dayton your thought was that you were the son of a thief?” “There was no other--” began Tommy, with an impersonal indignation that rang in his voice. “Wait! I have another question to ask you, Thomas. All these months, have you loved that thief?” Mr. Leigh looked at Tommy with eyes so fiercely hungry that Tommy answered very quickly: “Of course I did.” Then he added, huskily: “Sure thing, daddy. But it was--” “Wait!” interrupted Mr. Leigh, very sternly now. “Since we are talking on this subject you might as well hear me out. God bless you, my son, for that love. I can tell you now what I feared I might never be able to tell you. I can tell you, because you loved me when I was not worthy of your love.” There was a pause. Then Mr. Leigh looked at Tommy unflinchingly and said, “Thomas, you _are_ the son of a thief!” The world once more crashed down about Tommy's head. His breath failed him. Darkness came. But as a stricken man might say it, with his last breath, Tommy said: “I don't care! You are my father--” “I am your father, yes,” said Mr. Leigh, gravely. “And for that reason, in order that you may live your own life wisely, I should like to tell you all. Will you listen patiently, my son, while I make my confession?” In his father's voice Tommy detected a pleading note that went to his heart and increased the boy's agony. “Yes, father,” said Tommy Leigh, wearily, “I'll listen.” “My son, I loved your mother as I pray you may love your wife. But I loved you also--as she did--even before you came to us, her love compelling mine. And when she went from us, my son, I did not follow her, because my love for her, which had not died, made me live in order that I might do as she had planned for me to do--devote my life to my son, who also was hers. In you she lived and I lived, feeling her near me. You will not understand this, my son; you cannot, having no sons--not having one son who meant so much more to me than merely _my_ son--_her_ son! No, you cannot understand.” Mr. Leigh looked meditatively at his son and shook his head, slowly. But Tommy said: “Yes, I can, dad!”