He found his father in the smoking-room, sitting unoccupied in the huge leather chair before the fireplace.
As Vandover came in the Old Gentleman rose and without a word, as if he had been expecting him, went to the door and shut and locked it.

He came back and stood before the fireplace watching Vandover as he approached and took the chair he had just vacated.

Vandover told him of the affair in two or three phrases, without choosing his words, repeating the same expressions over and over again, moved only with the desire to have it over and done with.
It was like a burst of thunder.

The worst his father had feared was not as bad as this.

He had expected some rather serious boyish trouble, but this was the crime of a man.