James shifted impatiently as he waited for Alice and Frank to return. He knew that this was important to them, to see their son, but he was anxious about how much time they were taking. In some ways, their emotional attachment to the mission was a liability. But he was afraid that a significant part of his annoyance with it was due to a stupid, irrational jealousy, and that was wrong on so many levels that he didn't want to admit it even to himself.
However, when they returned, he was the first to step forward. "We don't have much time," he reminded Alice and Frank. "Let's get this part over with, shall we? And then you two can stay longer, if you like."
He looked at Neville, remaining as calm as he possibly could at the state the boy was in. "I have something for you, Neville. Something important."