“Mike,” said Henry. “Did Mummy tell you to give the pot to Uncle Gabriel?”
“What? Oh. Well, no. You see Giggle and I were trying my Hornby in the passage and it goes absolutely whizzer now because—”
“The pot,” said Stephen.
“What? Well, I saw it through Mummy’s door so I just—”
A distant voice yelled “Violet!”
“Who’s that?” asked Frid.
“It’s Uncle G.,” explained Mike. “He’s in the lift. Giggle had his coat off because he says—”
“I’d better go to Mummy,” said Frid. “She may be in difficulties with the aunts. Come on, Patch.” They went out.
“What is the matter with Uncle G.?” asked Mike with casual insistence.
Stephen looked at him. “If you must know,” he said violently, “Uncle Gabriel is—”