ATDTDA - petroleurs, p.19

[Monte Davis]

Laura:
 
> If the epitomy of evil is for a man to spend time away from 
> his children, then Webb's got plenty of company..

I should have made it clearer, but in Welty's context it's clear the phrase
is not so much (or exclusively) being physically absent as what we might
call today not "being there for" someone -- you can be present and not
engage emotionally, not be a "living presence" to their l.p. -- IOW, a
failure of love.