Dialogue between the Boy Ethelbert and his
fallen superior.
Security lent courage to the youth.
"You look hot," he said kindly.
"You come down!" hissed Whaley, clenching his teeth, "and I'll flay you alive—slowly—inch by inch!"
"Sounds good," grinned Ethelbert; with thoughtful prevision he kicked the ladder down. Its rotten wood smashed into a dozen pieces as it fell, and the youth was delighted to note that a flying fragment had caught his superior a fine smack on the side of the jaw.
For to him that hath, more shall be added.
Ethelbert feared not the future; his judgment told him, not insecurely, that the butler's powers were at an end.
"Been havin' a scrap?" continued Ethelbert, by way of making conversation. "'Ow's the other man?"
George Whaley's cup was full. "Come down," he groaned stupidly. "Come down!"