THE CHAIR BY THE FIRE He went with her as far as he dared, and turned back with shining eyes and stumbling feet.

He did not afterward remember his supper or what he had eaten, though Hannah at his command had set the table in the kitchen and Hughie had talked sensibly of pumpkins.

He did not remember climbing the stairs to Adam's room.

The one thing that jarred through his dreamy feeling of detachment was the old man's face.
"You're late!" he said.
"Yes," said Kenny happily, "I am." Even now with Adam's piercing eyes upon him, he had a feeling of invincibility; as if, aloof in the aerial sphere in which he seemed to float, he could shut the old man out.
Adam stared at him with eagle-like intentness and a puzzled frown.

His face said plainly that Kenny's mood was without precedent and therefore strategical.