"Pop away!"
"What?"
"I said 'Pop away.' I meant, go on firing."
"I beg to be allowed to finish without flippant interruption on your part. Personally, the affairs of this world do not concern me any longer. I am interested in them so far as they concern others, my own flesh and blood. Susan was born in Melchester, and so were you."
"We couldn't help it. You might have chosen a livelier spot. Me and Susan wasn't consulted. Children in a better managed world would be consulted, but there you are."
"Do you think, Joseph, in your arrogance, that you could manage this world better than it is managed?"
"Lord bless you, yes!"
"I trust that the Lord will bless me, young man. but He will assuredly not bless you, unless you mend your ways and your manners."
"Keep it up!"
It enraged her to perceive that he was enjoying himself. She wondered vaguely how the Bishop would deal with such a hardened offender.