"'You shut up!' said my brother. 'Mother's my business first and foremost.'
"'Shut up!' echoed my uncle. 'Wot manners! At a funeral. From a chap not a third my age, a mere 'azardous empty boy. Shut up! You shut up yourself, my boy, and listen to those who know a bit more about life than you do. I've smacked your 'ed before to-day. Not once or twice either. And I warmed your 'ide when you stole them peaches—and much good it did you! I oughter've took yer skin off! You and me 'ave never got on much, and unless you keep a civil tongue in your head we ain't going to get on now.'
"'Seeing which,' said brother Ernest with a dangerous calmness, 'the sooner you make yourself scarce the better for all concerned.'
"'Not to leave my on'y sister's affairs in the 'ands of a cub like you.'
"Again my mother essayed to speak, but the angry voices disregarded her.
"'I tell you you're going to get out, and if you can't get out of your own discretion I warn you I'll 'ave to 'elp you.'
"'Not when you're in mourning,' said my mother. 'Not wearing your mourning. And besides——'
"But they were both too heated now to attend to her.
"'You're pretty big with your talk,' said my uncle, 'but don't you preshume too far on my forbearance. I've 'ad about enough of this.'
"'So've I,' said my brother Ernest and stood up.