A place by the fire

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The old man moved his chair a few inches from the hearth when James came in. He did not offer a greeting, but he laid a second cup beside the kettle. James stood near the door, waiting for permission to approach. At last the old man said the draught was troublesome and asked him to close it. The space beside the fire was an invitation made without words. James took the empty chair.

Identify the phrase which suggests that the old man welcomes James indirectly.