Alf turned up the light in the passage and opened the door.
His brother lolled against the side-wall like a mortally wounded man.
"Take my arm, old chap," said Alf, and supported his brother into the kitchen.
Ern sat down suddenly at the table. Alf lit the gas.
The light fell on his brother's foolish face and clearly irritated him. He put up his hand to brush it away.
"Arf a mo'," said Alf soothingly, skipped light-footed upstairs, and knocked at his mother's door.
She was half-undressed, brushing her hair, her neck and shoulders bare in the moonlight.
Alf glanced at them and even in that moment of excitement thought how beautiful they were.
Mrs. Caspar raised a finger.
Her husband was in bed and apparently asleep, Lady Blanche upon the mantelpiece staring vacantly at the form of her recumbent son.