“Sometimes, sometimes. But Lor, what a child you were! What a companion you were!”

“Companion? That’s just what I want to be today, Pa.”

“You are safe to succeed, my love. Your brothers and sisters have all in their turns been companions to me, to a certain extent, but only to a certain extent. Your mother has, throughout life, been a companion that any man might⁠—might look up to⁠—and⁠—and commit the sayings of, to memory⁠—and⁠—form himself upon⁠—if he⁠—”

“If he liked the model?” suggested Bella.