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In Great-Aunt Jane's drawing-room were assembled Uncle John and Aunt Lucy and Cousin Francis. Francis was about the same age as William, but inordinately fat and clad in white. He had fair curls and was the apple of his parents' eyes. They had heard of William but none of them had seen him. There was a murmur of excitement as the sound of the taxi was heard, then William and his mother entered. Mrs. Brown was still pale. William followed her, scowling defiantly at the world in general.
"If you have any brandy——" said Mrs. Brown faintly.
"Brandy?" said William cheerfully. "I never thought of that. I got you nearly everything else, didn't I? I wanted to tempt her to eat," he explained to the company. "I thought of choc'lates an' cakes an' cocoa an' pork-pies—I kept askin' her to try pork-pie—there was some lovely ones on the boat—but I never thought of brandy. Have a good drink of it, mother," he encouraged her, "an' then try an' have a go at the chocolates."
Mrs. Brown shivered slightly and sipped the brandy.
"This, William," said Aunt Lucy, "is your cousin Francis."
Cousin Francis held out his hand. "How do you do, William?"
William took the proffered hand. "How do you do?" he said loudly, and added sotto voce, "Fatty."
Thus was war declared.
Mrs. Brown was feeling better.