my father 's late-night conversations were always about me . then , either gradually or all of a sudden im not sure , one day dad had looked up to realize that i had checked out . he picked his way from one clearing to the next . `` what kind of business was he in ? '' i was about to turn back , but sophia gripped my hand . `` all i know is that we 're standing here doing nothing while we should be setting your son 's arm . '' `` does being a king mean nothing these days ? '' 