noon
The more Vandover thought of this , the more he became convinced that such would be his father 's decision . The Old Gentleman had spent the night over it , time enough to make up his mind , and the fact that he had neither spoken to him nor looked at him that morning was only an indication of what Vandover was to expect . He fancied he knew his father well enough to foresee how this decision would be carried out , not with any imprecations or bursts of rage , but calmly , sadly , inevitably . Toward noon his father came into the room , and Vandover turned to face him and to hear what he had to say as best he could . He knew he should not break down under it , for he felt as though his misery had reached its limit , and that nothing could touch or affect him much now . His father had a decanter of port in one hand and a glass in the other ; he filled the glass and held it toward Vandover , saying gently : `` I think you had better take some of this : you 've hardly eaten anything in three days . Do you feel pretty bad , Van ? ''