But of these journeys my father never spoke; indeed, he rarely mentioned John at all.

However he might employ and even trust him in business relations, I knew that in every other way he was inexorable.
And John Halifax was as inexorable as he.

No under-hand or clandestine friendship would he admit--no, not even for my sake.

I knew quite well, that until he could walk in openly, honourably, proudly, he never would re-enter my father's doors.

Twice only he had written to me--on my two birthdays--my father himself giving me in silence the unsealed letters.