"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"Im!" said Alf.
Mr. Caspar saw Ern, and marked his wife busy on her knees. Then he understood.
The distress on his face deepened.
Anne Caspar rose sharply from her knees, the filthy rag still in her hands.
"Two of you!" she cried thickly. "It's too much!" and shoved him out of the room.
The father's slippered feet shuffled along the passage.
"Take your brother up to bed," ordered Mrs. Caspar.
Alf, too discreet to argue, obeyed.
Anne Caspar locked the door, and sat down at the table.