To me, standing in the doorway, the situation was plain at the first glance. Only by a big effort could I prevent myself laughing outright. It was impossible to check a grin. Thomas Blake saw me.
“Hullo!” I said; “what’s all this?”
He stared at me.
“’Ullo!” he said, “another of ’em, is it? I’m honest old Tom Blake, I am, and wot I say is——”
“Why honest, Mr. Blake?” I interrupted.
“Call me a liar, then!” said he. “Go on. You do it. Call it me, then, and let’s see.”
He began to shuffle towards me.
“Who pinched his father’s trousers, and popped them?” I inquired genially.
He stopped and blinked.
“Eh?” he said weakly.