“I say it has all been a piece of folly,” insisted Converse.  “Dear folly!  Yes, almost noble folly!  But it must end, my boy.  I suppose your father is back there toiling to repay those men from whom he took money.”

“I suppose so, Mr. Converse.  But he has not been disgraced in the eyes of the public.”

“There’s where your noble folly has made its mistake.  You have doubled his grief, Thornton.  Just sit there a moment and ponder.  You will understand what I mean.”

“I have understood—­I have pondered—­but I have not had the courage to go back.  At least, they could not say to him that his son was in prison.  He has escaped that grief.”

“And has endured a heavier one, my boy.  I’m afraid you’re a poor counselor in your own affairs.”  He came across the room to Bristol and slapped the bowed shoulder.  “Now you have found a better one.  I have taken your case.”

The young man looked up into the kindly features of his adviser and was only half convinced.

“Don’t you realize how easy it will be for you to make money from this time on?  You don’t?  Well, let me tell you.  As soon as you can be admitted to the bar in this state I’m going to make you my law partner.  Hold on!  I’m doing you no especial favor—­I’m putting into my office a man who had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the unholy clutch of plunderers who have had this state by the throat for a quarter of a century.  I’m simply grabbing you before somebody else gets you.  I expect to be governor of this state, and I want my law business looked after by a man who is able to keep up the reputation of the firm.  But first of all, my boy, you and I are going back to your home.  I think you’ll find me a fairly good lawyer in straightening out tangles.  I’ll know just how to talk to those folks out there.  And then you’re coming back here with me and face this state as yourself and help me fight the legislation we want put through to enactment—­and be damned to ’em!” He put his arm about the young man’s shoulders and drew him to his feet.  “It has been a hard day for you, my boy.  There are some hard things ahead of you.  You must go to bed.  The morning will bring comfort and good counsel.”

But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him gently and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big vestibule.

“You’re home, my boy—­right here—­you’re home here from this time on!  This is your other home until your father needs you more than I do.  I have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without realizing just what was the matter with me.”

“After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done,” expostulated Bristol.

“Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common sense.”

Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him.

“I’m not going to talk to you any more to-night,” stated the host, when they were on the upper landing.  “It will all seem different in the morning.  It’s going to be all right after this, Thornton.  I’m sorry I haven’t a wife.  A woman understands how to listen to troubles better than a man.  Is your mother alive?”