Here Charlie entered the dispute.
"There's no call to swear, Alf. I can argue without swearing and so can you."
"It was you that learned him to swear. He's heard you often enough," Mrs. Raeburn pointed out. "But that's no reason why Alfie should."
Jenny, more insolently contemptuous than ever, interrupted the side-issue.
"When you've finished arguing which is the biggest lady and gentleman in this room, perhaps you'll let me finish what I was going to say."
"I'd hold my tongue if I was you," her brother advised. "You're as bad as Edie."
"Don't you talk to me. You!" said Jenny, stamping with rage. Then, with head thrown back and defiant underlip, she continued:
"That's quite right about my driving off with a gentleman." In the tail of the "g" was whipcord for Alfie's self-esteem.
"Gentleman," he sneered.
"Which is more than you could ever be, any old way."