His mother gave a snapping nod of the head expressive of extreme determination.
“Anyhow I ain’t going to do it,” said young Bealby, and feeling the conversation was difficult to sustain he moved towards the staircase door with a view to slamming it.
“You’ll do it,” said his mother, “right enough.”
“You see whether I do,” said young Bealby, and then got in his door-slam rather hurriedly because of steps outside.
Mr. Darling came in out of the sunshine a few moments later. He was a large, many-pocketed, earthy-whiskered man with a clean-shaven determined mouth, and he carried a large pale cucumber in his hand.
“I tole him,” he said.
“What did he say?” asked his wife.
“Nuthin’,” said Mr. Darling.
“’E says ’e won’t,” said Mrs. Darling.
Mr. Darling regarded her thoughtfully for a moment.