Ernie considered his father, sitting opposite him as of old, and yet how changed! In those familiar blue eyes he detected now a dry twinkle, as of an imp dancing amid autumn leaves.
Suddenly the imp leapt out and tickled him.
Ernie flung back in his chair and laughed.
The old man opposite nodded sympathetically.
Then the door in the hall opened.
Somebody had entered the passage, and was stumbling over the bag Ernie had left there.
Ernie ceased to laugh; and the imp to twinkle.
"That's your brother," said the old man almost harshly.
Ernie made no move. In the passage outside Alf was shifting the bag—with curses.
"Does he live here still?" asked Ernie, low.