What withheld him was not the wickedness of his intention, nor yet the unwisdom of frightening Dennis with it, but his own damnable squirming weakness in minding the boy’s terror. It was cowardly, it was even apostate of him to recoil from that, but he wavered before it, he lacked firmness and indifference. He must get rid of that scruple and the hateful tenderness that prompted it. There Dennis stood, his bare arms stretched out to him, half-imploring, it seemed, and yet, by that same action, keeping him off. The throat-apple in the soft neck moved up and down in his agitation, as if struggling to keep his panting breath steady, and the red flower of his mouth quivered. The great sapphire slipped from Colin’s hand and rolled on the floor. He let it lie there, unheeding or unknowing, and came close to Dennis, putting his arm round his neck. “Dennis, my dear,” he said, “what’s the matter? What ails you? Why, you’re having the nightmare again while you’re awake! This will never do.” The boy’s attitude of defence, of keeping his father away from him, collapsed suddenly. He threw out his arms and caught his father round the shoulders. “I’m an awful fool,” he said. “I was frightened, and I can’t think why. Just as if you weren’t protection enough against anything. Oh, Father, you’re a brick: I do love you.” Colin drew the boy down on the edge of the bed, and sat close to him. “But what was the matter, my darling?” he said. “Tell me about it.” “It wasn’t anything,” said Dennis. “I’m a bloody fool--sorry.--But, just for a second, it was nightmare again, and I thought somehow it wasn’t you standing there. It was like some awful conjuring-trick.... And I wanted you. And I’ve got you. I won’t be such an ass again.” “Sure you’re all right?” said Colin. “We can’t have you getting panics, Dennis, and being an ass.” Dennis laughed. “You shan’t,” he said. “It’s all gone. I say, I’m keeping you up. I must undress and go to bed, or you’ll never get there.” Dennis got up, and stood there between his father’s knees, erect and tranquil again. He peeled off his hose and vest, and put on his pyjamas. Just then his eye fell on the great sapphire that lay on the floor. “Why, you’ve dropped the sapphire, Father,” he said. “So I see. Never mind that. I’ll pick it up. Now into bed with you.” “How can I when you’re sitting there? No, don’t get up. I’ll crawl in.” Dennis inserted one leg between his pillow and where Colin sat and drew himself into bed, curling himself against his father. “There, that’s all snug,” he said. “Good night, then,” said Colin. Dennis raised himself in bed, and kissed him. “It’s been a lovely evening,” he said. “And it’ll be just as lovely to-morrow with you and mother and me. I wish I wasn’t going back to Eton on Thursday.”