"It wouldn't be a mere putting of bad boys to bed, my son. It would be David and Goliath, with Goliath in the plural."
"Can't I pass them on to you if I find I must?"
"Of course you can. Hugh, I'm tempted to try you."
"I wish you would, sir."
"With no coaching? No 'Polonius to the players'?"
"I wish you would."
The father looked into the sky. "Superb night," he said.
Again no reply.
"Were you not deep in the spell of it when I found you here awhile ago?"
"Yes, I was."