George shivered. It sounded so brutal, and yet he realized that it was only the sensible thing to have done.
“’Ow did it ’appen?”
“He slipped,” Cora said, looking Ernie straight in the eyes.
“Wasn’t pushed?”
“He slipped.”
There was another long pause. George felt that these two had forgotten him.
“Ain’t seen Crispin about for some time,” Little Ernie said thoughtfully. “’Ave you?”
“I can’t be bothered with him,” Cora returned, her eyes watchful. “He’s around, I suppose.”
“I wonder.” Little Ernie lit a cigarette and tossed the match into the fireplace. “I did ’ear that ’e’d come to a sticky end. Marvellous, ain’t it, the way I ’ear things?”
Cora continued to stare at him watchfully.