"And you haven't said much about it to me. Except to be gentle--"
"That's so. You must remember it."
"Well--I don't have to be gentle with myself, do I? When I'm alone--like
in the woods, that is?"
The older one pondered. "You mean--you like to--ah--let yourself
out--when you're alone?"
"That's what I mean." The usual constraint between them had receded.
Hugo was grateful for his father's help. "You see, dad, I--well--I went
walkin' to-day--and I--I kind of tried myself out."