Alf glanced at his brother sharply. Then, satisfied that the other was in fact telling the truth, he resumed his study of the fire.
"Not as there was anythink in it there shouldn't have been," he said complacently. "You can ask anyone." He was silent for a time. Then he continued confidentially, leaning forward a little—"When you see her tell her I'm safe. May be that'll ease her a bit."
Ernie came to himself and glowered.
"What ye mean?" he asked.
Alf cocked his chin, knowing and mysteriously.
"Ah," he said. "You just tell her what I tell you—Alf won't let on; Alf's safe. Just that. You'll see."
There was a stir and a movement in the room above: then the howl of a woman in travail.
Ern was panting. Silence succeeded the storm. Then a tiny miaowing from the room above came down to them.
Alf started to his feet.
"What's that?" he cried.