"Ah," said Alf. "And that ain't all. Not by no means—nor the lesser 'alf of it eether."
His mother was still fiercely cold.
"Is she the one he got into trouble?"
Alf evaded her swiftly.
"It ain't his child though."
"What?" she snarled. "Is there a brat?"
She turned on the gas.
The tears were rolling down Alf's cheeks as he nodded assent.
"Me own blood-brother and all!" was what he said. "I can't look folks in the face, I can't."
Just then the study-door opened and shut again.