For a moment he felt ashamed of himself; then he reminded himself that he wasn't really to blame; that, but for his father's harshness toward him, he would never have had such sinister thoughts about him or Adelaide.

Thus his apology took the form of an outburst against Hiram.

"Father has brought out the worst there is in me!" he exclaimed.

"He is goading me on to--" He looked up; Hiram was in the doorway.

He sprang to his feet.