Giant’s Bread · Book I · VI · Chapter 1 6 4

IV

“Walter,” cried Myra, “you haven’t said goodbye to Vernon.”

Walter looked across at his son, standing there wide-eyed.

“Goodbye, old chap. Have a good time.”

“Goodbye, Father.”

That was all. Myra was scandalized⁠—had he no love for the boy? He hadn’t even kissed him. How queer they were⁠—the Deyres. So casual. Strange, the way they had nodded to each other, across the width of the room. So alike.⁠ ⁠…

“But Vernon,” said Myra to herself, “shall not grow up like his father.”

On the walls around her Deyres looked down and smiled sardonically.