Jacques felt immediately tongue-tied in his father's presence, unable to speak from a combination of nerves at his first glimpse of the office, and his habitual, barely controlled dislike. He bowed, to gain himself some time, and sternly told himself that he had nothing to fear. The man before him did not merit the unmitigated hostility he felt.
"Father." Jacques straightened and looked up. His father's hair glinted in the sunlight; Jacques focused on that and forced himself to speak. "Thank you. I have." He paused, unsure of how to go on. "I passed the bar."