Kingsley's cordial manner and cheerful voice would have mystified most men with a weaker order of mind than Mr. Manners's; but although this was not the case with the great contractor, he was certainly at a loss to account for them. He knew that Kingsley possessed a soul of frankness and honesty, and he could not readily bring himself to believe that it was cunning and duplicity which had induced his son to seek this interview. Still, for the exhibition of these qualities he would have been, as he always was with all men, perfectly prepared, but not for the ingenuousness with which he was now confronted. He thought to turn the tables upon Kingsley. "Are you well?" he asked. "Quite well, father," replied Kingsley. "And happy?" "Quite happy, father." "And prosperous?" "To be quite well and happy," said Kingsley, in no spirit of evasion, "is not that a prosperous state?" "You are quibbling with me," said Mr. Manners, "and I am not in the mood, and have no time for trifling." "I shall not detain you long, father; you have eased my mind, and I shall go away presently, quite contented. As to quibbling, you, who know me so well and have been so good to me, must know that I am incapable of such conduct." "I decline to argue with you. Come to the point at once. You wish to make some kind of appeal to me. I did hope that you had come in submission." "I have, father; submission in all things that accord with one's duty." "With your duty to me?" "To you and to others who are dear to me." "I will not listen," said Mr. Manners, "to anything concerning them." "I will not force it upon you. There shall be nothing discordant between us. But what do you mean by 'appeal?'" "You are here to ask for money, as those who have separated us have been here before you." "Indeed, you are quite wrong. There has been, there shall be, no separation between us. I love you as I have always done, as I always shall love you. And they appealed to you for money! Did you give it to them?" "No, nor will I to you." "Oh, but I need none. You have been since my earliest remembrance most liberal to me, but you cannot accuse me of being mercenary. I should like you to know my wife, I should like you to know and love our child. If you are too busy for that now, we will wait; when you visit us, which surely you will do some day, you will be pleased at the manner in which we shall receive you; all the honor that is due to you shall be cheerfully rendered." "This mockery must end," said Mr. Manners; "go! But, before you leave, it will, perhaps, be as well for me to say what is in my mind." "Yes, father," said Kingsley, gently.