It would be the new year soon, and he would decide then.

He had made similar promises often; they always gave him temporary comfort.
Then gradually another element of pleasure crept into his life--Mrs.
Hope's child.

The boy amused him; he never resented his pretty, authoritative ways; a queer kind of companionship sprang up between them.

It was one of perfect equality every way; an old man easily becomes a little child.

And those who only knew Crawford among coals and pig iron would have been amazed to see him keeping up a mock dispute with this baby..