"What are you doing with the fire?" he asked querulously, with a slight foreign accent.
"Stirring it!"
"Leave it alone!"
Philip listlessly turned away.
"Come here," said the old man.
Philip approached.
"You need say nothing," said the old man after a pause, in which he examined Philip's face keenly. "I read your news in your face—the old story—I know it by heart."
"Well?" said Philip.
"Well!" said the old man, stolidly.
Philip again turned away.