"If I did not have for him the warm affection a son feels toward a less austere and preoccupied father, I at least had an immense respect for him, and a great admiration"

In this quote, Lincoln Ellsworth reflects on his complex sensations toward a paternal figure, most likely displaying a nuanced relationship marked by both emotional distance and profound respect. The quote recommends that Ellsworth did not experience the normal heat and closeness that often identify a father-son relationship. The phrase "warm affection a son feels toward a less austere and preoccupied father" suggests that the father figure in question may have been stern, focused, and perhaps mentally not available. This characterization evokes a certain psychological space that might have avoided Ellsworth from developing a deep emotional bond.

However, Ellsworth balances this lack of heat with "enormous respect" and "excellent affection". These feelings suggest that, despite the emotional distance, he acknowledged and valued the qualities and achievements of this daddy figure. Respect typically emerges from recognizing somebody's capabilities, accomplishments, or integrity, indicating that Ellsworth might have seen this individual as a figure of authority and competence. Affection goes a step even more, suggesting that the qualities he saw in this figure influenced him or left a significant impression.

The characteristics Ellsworth explains are not uncommon in relationships where one party is reliable or taken in by responsibilities, as highlighted by the usage of the words "austere" and "preoccupied". Such qualities can create a formidable attitude, possibly overshadowing relational warmth but concurrently generating respect for their devotion and accomplishments.

Ellsworth's reflection highlights the intricate nature of human relationships, where heat and adoration can coexist, albeit in a tenuous balance. Often, affection and respect can fill the emotional spaces left by an absence of love. This quote encapsulates a fully grown recommendation of the diverse nature of esteem-- an acknowledgment that feelings like respect and admiration can flourish even in the lack of overt psychological intimacy.