"I haven't been thinking about anything but him ever since he left," he
said, "and what makes me the sorest is that the longer I think of it, the
surer I get that this is my fault. I didn't raise him right!"
"Aw-w-ah Peter!" protested Mickey.
"I've got it all studied out," said Peter, "and I didn't! There have been
two mistakes, Junior's and mine, and of the two, mine is twice as big as
the boy's."
Peter stooped and picked up his son, who stirred and awakened. When he
found himself in his father's arms Junior clung to him and whispered over
and over: "Father, dear father!" Peter gripped him with all his might and
whispered back: "Forgive me son! Forgive me!"
"Well I don't know what for?" sobbed Junior.
"You will before long," said Peter. He drove to a cool place, and let the
car stand while he called his wife, and explained all of the situation he
saw fit. She was waiting at the gate when they came. She never said a word
except to urge Junior to eat his supper. But Junior had no appetite.
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