She snuggled close, and Tom could feel her whole body shaking; but she kept her head averted to conceal a distressingly unmasculine weakness.

It was a useless precaution, however, for Tom was blind, his eyes were as wet as hers, and tears were trickling down the seams in his wrinkled face.
"Oh, daddy, it has been a long time!" Those were the first words either of them had spoken.
Tom opened his lips, then he closed them.

He patted Barbara clumsily, and finally cleared his aching throat with a loud "_Harrumph!_" He dashed the tears from his eyes with the heel of one harsh palm, then leveled a defiant glare over her head, directed at anyone who might be looking on at his weakness.

It was a blurry glare, however, and not nearly so ferocious as he intended it to be.

After several efforts he managed to regain control of his vocal powers.
"Well, son!" he cried, huskily; then, "_Harrumph_!" Barbara's clutch tightened appreciatively.