The next thing for Sidney was to knock over the chair he had been sitting upon, which came down on the drawing-room floor with a bumping noise that shook the house, and woke up his father, who shouted forth his name.
"Coming, coming,'' said Sidney, walking into the double-bedded room, and giving up further study or brooding for that night.
"What's the matter, Sid, my boy?" asked the father, from the corner; "haven't you been in bed yet?"
"Must have fallen asleep in the next room, I think."
"And a terrible row you've made in waking, Sid. Good night, my boy—God bless you!"
The old gentleman turned on his side, and was soon indulging in the snores of the just again. There was a night-light burning there, and Sidney took it from its saucer of water and held it above his head, looking down at that old, world-worn, yet handsome face of the father.
"God bless you!" he said, re-echoing his father's benediction; "how will you bear it when the time comes, I wonder?"