“I like looking at you,” said Jim, his smile becoming more malicious.
“But you shouldn't, when I tell you not,” she returned.
Jim twisted round to look at the state of the bottles. The father also came awake. He sat up.
“Isn't it time,” he said, “that you all put away your glasses and cigarettes and thought of bed?”
Jim rolled slowly round towards his father, sprawling in the long chair.
“Ah, Dad,” he said, “tonight's the night! Tonight's some night, Dad.—You can sleep any time—” his grin widened—“but there aren't many nights to sit here—like this—Eh?”
He was looking up all the time into the face of his father, full and nakedly lifting his face to the face of his father, and smiling fixedly. The father, who was perfectly sober, except for the contagion from the young people, felt a wild tremor go through his heart as he gazed on the face of his boy. He rose stiffly.
“You want to stay?” he said. “You want to stay!—Well then—well then, I'll leave you. But don't be long.” The old man rose to his full height, rather majestic. The four younger people also rose respectfully—only Jim lay still prostrate in his chair, twisting up his face towards his father.
“You won't stay long,” said the old man, looking round a little bewildered. He was seeking a responsible eye. Josephine was the only one who had any feeling for him.
“No, we won't stay long, Mr. Bricknell,” she said gravely.