versation and his inability to do so shows Old Ben's fear of being like his father. Though he wants to be able to communicate and to be a part of his son's life, Old Ben does not know how to talk to his son. Instead of going out to greet him, Old Ben just sits in his study with the drapes closed so he will not let his presence be known. Once his son comes to talk to him, Old Ben acts like a child and asks insignificant questions to try to gain the interest of his son. He says, "The news will be on in five minutes, if you want to listen to it" (259). Then, he realizes that this might have sounded too inviting or friendly so he backs up and says, "But if you don't want to, don't say you do" (259). The way Old Ben speaks to his children proves that he is quite uncomfortable while talking to them. This discomfort is experienced because he believes others should initiate most conversations. He feels his children should willfully come talk to him, but he does not realize that his attitude is what drives them away. All of the neglect his children received when they were younger now causes them to avoid their father. Old Ben swore he would never be like his father and hit his children. Even though he has kept his promise and never hit his kids, he has neglected their need for companionship. This is shown when Old Ben asks Cliff, "Why did you come at all? Why did you even bother to come if you weren't going to bring Sue Alice and the grandchildren? Did you think I wanted to see you without them?"(259). He acts as if he does not even like his son through pretending he is insignificant without his wife and children. Since Old Ben is not a part of his children's lives, they feel uneasy about coming to talk to him.
             Old Ben, like his children feels uneasy communicating due to the lack of acceptance he received from his own father. The haunting memories of his father's ...