Then for the first time he knew that
the sufferings of the past months could have a visible as well
as a hidden side--could disorganize his daily routine as they
had already demoralized his will and character.
The thing came upon him with extraordinary lack of preparation.
He sat through the twilight with tolerable calm, his nervousness
showing only in the occasional lifting of his hand to his collar
and the frequent changing of his position; but when the lights
were turned on, and he leaned back in his seat with closed eyes,
he became conscious of a curious impression--a disturbing idea
that through his closed lids he could see the faces on the
opposite side of the House, see the rows of eyes, sleepy,
interested, or vigilant. Never before had the sensation
presented itself, but, once set up, it ran through all his
susceptibilities. By an absurd freak of fancy those varying
eyes seemed to pierce through his lids, almost through his
eyeballs. The cold perspiration that was his daily horror
broke out on his forehead; and at the same moment Fraide, his
leader, turned, leaned over the back of his seat, and touched
his knee.
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