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[Comes back from the right, a beaming look of proud parenthood on his face]

He was sleeping so soundly an earthquake wouldn’t have made him peep!

[He goes back to his chair—earnestly]

He sure is healthy and husky, Charlie. That tickles me more than anything else. I’m going to start in training him as soon as he’s old enough—so he’ll be a crack athlete when he goes to college—what I wanted to be and couldn’t. I want him to justify the name of Gordon and be a bigger star than Gordon ever was, if that’s possible.

[With a sort of pity—thinking]

His is an adolescent mind he’ll never grow up  well, in this adolescent country, what greater blessing could he wish for?

[Forcing a smile]

How about training his mind?

[Confidently]

Oh, that’ll take care of itself. Gordon was always near the top in his studies, wasn’t he? And with Nina for a mother, his namesake ought to inherit a full set of brains.

[Amused]

You’re the only genuinely modest person I know, Sam.