Next day, after dinner, when she heard Ern's feet slowly descending the stairs, and knew he was coming to say good-bye, Anne Caspar shoved Alf roughly out of the kitchen.
"You wait your brother outside," she said. "Take his bag now, and carry it to the bus for him. Be a brother for once!"
"Well, I was going to," answered Alf, aggrieved.
Since the catastrophe he had kept discreetly in the background.
Ern entered the kitchen, uncertain of himself, uncertain of his reception; but, true to the best that was in him, trying to carry a pale feather of gallantry.
"I guess it's about time to be off, mum," he remarked huskily.
His mother shut the door behind him gently, and drew him to her.
"Kiss me, Ern," she said.
The boy gasped and obeyed.
"Now go and say good-bye to dad," continued his mother, quiet, firm, authoritative.