"And if you think I'm giving in to you--"
"I don't care a hang whether you're giving in to me or not so long as
you--_keep fit_."
"I'll be the judge of that."
"And I'll help you."
"You can go to hell."
Tad used these words because he had no others. They were fine free
manly words which begged all the questions and helped him to a little
dignity. If he was surrendering he would do it, in his own phrase,
with bells on. The mucker shouldn't have the satisfaction of thinking
he had done anything. It saved the whole situation to tell him in this
offhand way the place that he could go to.
But a little thing betrayed him, possibly before he saw its
significance. His points being won for the minute, Tom had reached
the door. Beside the door stood a low bookcase, on which was open a
package of cigarettes. Tad's goose-step brought him within reach of
it. He picked it up and held it toward Tom. He did it carelessly,
ungraciously, unthinkingly, and yet with all sorts of buried
implications in the little act.
"Have one?"
Tom was careful to preserve a casual, negligent air as he drew one out.
Tad struck a match.
As the one held the thing to his lips and the other put the flame to
it, the hands of the brothers, for the first time except in a fight,
touched lightly.