Tom laughed in a manner which had an irritating effect upon his listener, and seemed to be vastly amused.
"You don't like fishing much? Oh, indeed! I s'pose you like being made a molly-coddle of like your stepbrother, eh?"
"Jack is not a molly-coddle!" Theodore flashed out indignantly, now thoroughly angry.
"He's well enough, I daresay. Now, look 'ere, see what I've got!"
Tom drew from his pocket a packet of cigarettes, and carefully selecting one, proceeded to light it, whilst the younger boy watched him with somewhat reluctant admiration.
"'Ave one?" Tom asked insinuatingly. "Bought 'em with my own money."
"No, no, thank you."
"Afraid you'll be sick, eh?"
"No. That's not the reason."
"Afraid your stepmother 'll whack you if she finds it out?"