The complexion was nearly sallow, with the exception of the nose, which had rather deepened in colour. The skin was loose and flabby, and the eyes dull and a little bloodshot. But perhaps the greatest alteration was in the dress. Dick wore an old light tweed shooting-coat of his, and a pair of loose trousers of blue serge; while, instead of the formally tied black neckcloth his father had worn for a quarter of a century, he had a large scarf round his neck of some crude and gaudy colour; and the conventional chimney-pot hat had been discarded for a shabby old wide-brimmed felt wideawake.
Altogether, it was by no means the costume which a British merchant, with any self-respect whatever, would select, even for a country visit.
And thus they met, as perhaps never, since this world was first set spinning down the ringing grooves of change, met father and son before!
14. An Error of Judgment
"The Survivorship of a worthy Man in his Son is a Pleasure scarce inferior to the Hopes of the Continuance of his own Life." Spectator.
"Du bist ein Knabe—sei es immerhin
Und fahre fort, den Fröhlichen zu spielen."
Schiller, Don Carlos.
Paul was the first to break a very awkward silence. "You young scoundrel!" he said, with suppressed rage. "What the devil do you mean by laughing like that? It's no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir, for one of us!"