“It wasn’t anything,” said Dennis. “I’m a bloody fool—sorry.—But, just for a second, it was nightmare again, and I thought somehow it wasn’t you standing there. It was like some awful conjuring-trick.... And I wanted you. And I’ve got you. I won’t be such an ass again.”
“Sure you’re all right?” said Colin. “We can’t have you getting panics, Dennis, and being an ass.”
Dennis laughed.
“You shan’t,” he said. “It’s all gone. I say, I’m keeping you up. I must undress and go to bed, or you’ll never get there.”
Dennis got up, and stood there between his father’s knees, erect and tranquil again. He peeled off his hose and vest, and put on his pyjamas. Just then his eye fell on the great sapphire that lay on the floor.
“Why, you’ve dropped the sapphire, Father,” he said.
“So I see. Never mind that. I’ll pick it up. Now into bed with you.”
“How can I when you’re sitting there? No, don’t get up. I’ll crawl in.”
Dennis inserted one leg between his pillow and where Colin sat and drew himself into bed, curling himself against his father.
“There, that’s all snug,” he said.