"How far back did all this happen? When I was in my cradle? I've forgotten."
"It was seven years ago last July."
"Seven years outlaws an unpaid account. Let's start another. I'll back you up if you'll go over and offer to fix up that sock. If you do, the late unpleasantness will fix itself up. It's just as easy as that. And—Uncle Steve wants it."
"James," his mother's tone was firm, "if your Aunt Clara comes to me I will not repulse her."
"She won't come. You said the last hard word."
"James!"
"All right," said Jim Dent with apparent resignation. "But even enemies declare a truce—on Christmas Eve."
Then two small boys and four girls of various sizes romped into the corner after him and he went away with them. It was difficult to do otherwise, with all six twined about his arms and pulling lustily.
"'He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?'"
Stephen spoke the words thoughtfully.