The cigar gets several more stabs.

‘I suppose you catch an early train to-morrow?’

‘The 5.20. I have flag-signalling at half-past six.’

‘Phew! Hours before I shall be up.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘Well, you needn’t dwell on it, Roger.’

Indignantly, ‘I didn’t.’ He starts up. ‘Good-night, father.’

‘Good-night. Damn. Come back. My fault. Didn’t I say I wanted to have a chat with you?’

‘I thought we had had it.’

Gloomily, ‘No such luck.’