"I can't afford to forfeit your good opinion," Mr.Excell went on, "especially now when you are leaving me, perhaps forever.

I think you are right in going.

There is no chance for you here; perhaps out there in the great West you may get a start.

Of my shortcomings as a father you know, and I suppose you can never love me as a son should, but I think you will see some day that I am not a hypocrite, and that I failed as a father more through neglect and passion than through any deliberate injustice." The boy struggled for words to express himself; at last he burst forth: "I don't blame you at all, only let me go where I can do something worth while: you bother me so." The minister dropped his son's hand and a look of the deepest sadness came over his face.

He had failed--Harold was farther away from him than ever.