Mr Aaron got up from his chair and almost went to his knees, but Patrick pulled him back with a swift movement despite his anger towards him. Mad, really, and as much as he would have loved to see him feel exactly the way he did, suffer the same agony and fall at his feet in desperation for forgiveness. He can't do that because of his conscience. Letting an old, ailing guy kneel in front of him would be uncouth.
Letting him go on his knees for him was a mistake. That was not how his mother trained him.
Patrick snarled, "Sit. I'm not asking you to kneel."
"Please... Let me do it. I don't deserve any respect from you. Please, son... I am sorry."
"Just sit. I won't let your family think that I worsen your condition. What do you want your family to think about me when they see you on your knees? I'm never going to let anyone insult my mother."