He held the Ripley family in too high regard to offend them openly; but Omas was set in his ways.
He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little nearer the fire and sat down, moody and silent.
"You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; "it will anger him to say more.

I will sit with my head against the rock; do you lie down on the blanket and let your head rest in my lap.

I think it will be safe for us all." With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware apparently paying no heed to them.

He kept his seat on the ground, looking gloomily into the fire and in deep thought.

A struggle was going on in his mind, and no one could say whether the good or evil would win.
Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep.