"Is that what you were hoping for James?" Quentin says arching an eyebrow. He could not say that he was surprised by this, well perhaps a little since Noah didn't seem to have much enmity for his father. Then again, it is possible that Noah was remembering better times that James hadn't even been alive to see.

"And Noah, please don't hit James in general. But especially not in my presence. It might be... good of you to remember how being cuffed upside the head made you feel at that age." He'd been about to say behoove, but he figured that wasn't in their lexicon.

"Regardless, no you are not adopted." He says shifting his gaze between the two boys. "I am not looking to take on two wards at present and I would only do so if I thought I was putting your life at risk through negligence. However, I am lending my assistance in ensuring that both of you lead better lives than what your current lot has provided." He looks at James and adds. "I am doing this because, as I imagine your father would put it, I am stupid, rich and a sucker. My father would have said similar but I choose instead to believe that if a man can make a positive difference in someone's life, then he should do so. Especially when all it costs is a bit of time and, relative to my station in life, almost no money." Five pounds may have been an unfathomable sum for the two boys but not to Quentin, it was barely even pocket change.