Father and son reconciled
Reuven again finds himself a buffer between father and son when, in the novel's climax, the two friends learn Reb Saunders's purpose for raising his son in silence: Reb Saunders had discovered early on that his son's dawning intelligence was far outstripping his sense of compassion for others. He wanted his son to understand the meaning of pain, so he shut him out emotionally. Finding the grown-up Danny indeed has a heart, and cares deeply about other people, Reb Saunders is willing to give his blessing to Danny's dream of studying psychology. "He will be a tzadik for the world," Reb Saunders tells Reuven. At last Reb Saunders breaks his silence and truly talks to Danny, asking Danny to forgive him for the pain he caused, bringing him up as he did. The words finally spoken, Reb Saunders leaves the room, and both boys burst into tears.
