Instead he stood stock still, returning Phineas Babbitt's glare with a steady, unwinking gaze.
It was the hardware dealer who spoke first.

And that, by the way, was precisely what he had not meant to do.
"Yes," he observed, with caustic sarcasm, "it's me.

You needn't stand there blinkin' like a fool any longer, Shavin's.

It's me." Jed set the lamp upon the table.

He drew a long breath, apparently of relief.
"Why, so 'tis," he said, solemnly.