"Shall I come across?" suggested Jim,
"No, that will waste time, and I haven't much to say."
It occurred to the Long 'Un that what little his grandfather wished to say would not be of an overwhelmingly genial character.
"I--ah--I received a bill this morning for a plate-glass window you smashed in the Strand about six weeks ago," began the Doctor; "I suppose you recollect it?"
"Seem to remember something of it," replied Jim.
"That's good of you. The bill is for twelve pounds."
"Those big shop windows run into money," hazarded Jim.
"Somewhat superfluous information," snapped the Doctor; "what I want to say is that I won't pay any more of these bills--do you clearly understand?"
"I do," said the Long 'Un.
"And, moreover, I won't have any more of your drunken frolics--it's high time you stopped all that nonsense. I should also advise you to drop the acquaintance of that disreputable reporter friend of yours--he seems to have a bad influence on you--Coke, is that his name?"