If not, try to think kindly of your troublesome and foolish son, Stephen." In another minute the train had started.
"By the way," he said, as we steamed out of the station, "I have heard from my father, who enclosed this for you." I opened the envelope, which was addressed in a bold, round hand that seemed to me typical of the writer, and read as follows: "My Dear Sir,--I appreciate the motives which caused you to write to me and I thank you very heartily for your letter, which shows me that you are a man of discretion and strict honour.

As you surmise, the expedition on which my son has entered is not one that commends itself to me as prudent.

Of the differences between him and myself you are aware, for they came to a climax in your presence.

Indeed, I feel that I owe you an apology for having dragged you into an unpleasant family quarrel.

Your letter only reached me to-day having been forwarded to my place in the country from my office.