That, at least, was a piece of good news. If she was not expectant, it would become clear soon enough, and every day that Aldous kept his brother here, away from her, made such evidence more reliable. It did not, however, erase the problem at hand.

"Congratulations are in order, then," he offered with a small smile, an olive branch. "I can...understand better your renewed...commitment to your wife, but feel as though I must reiterate my earlier point: one can be a devoted father without being a devoted husband and, indeed, a miserable man is less likely to be a good father."