He had some dim recollection that Mr. Fraser had taken him fishing and been kind to him. “Yes,” his father said, with a sidelong smile. “I’m touched, Willie. I should have thought you might recall that visit more because of your own misadventure than mine.” “Mis—” Memory rushed over him, succeeded by a flood of heat, hotter than the humid summer air. “Thanks very much! I’d managed to expunge that from my memory, until you mentioned it!” His father was laughing, and making no attempt to hide it. In fact, he was convulsed. “I’m sorry, Willie,” he said, gasping and wiping his eyes with a corner
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