He shook his head, grimly amused.
"Can't be done," he replied. "Too interesting a study and too good a chauffeur," but he spoke to Alf all the same.
"You must let that girl be," he said gruffly. "Ern's got her; and he's going to keep her."
"Ah," said Alf, swaggering. "I know what I know, and what no one else don't know, only me; and I don't like it."
"Brothers never do," retorted Mr. Trupp. "Especially if they wanted the girl themselves."
"Ah, 'taint that," said Alf, sour and white. "I shan't marry off the streets, whatever else. No, sir. He's not been a good brother to me—nobody can't throw that up against him. But that's no reason why when I see him askin' for trouble I shouldn't try to save him. Me own blood brother and all."
Mr. Trupp got into the car.
"I'll tell you what," he muttered. "You're a true churchman, Alf, if you're nothing else. I will say that for you."