"Who asked you to?"
"You did. It only wants six weeks to the Derby, and——"
Mr. Loyd lost all control over himself for the moment. He took up the coal-scuttle and threw it at his son, which was a very reprehensible thing to do; but it did not hurt Joseph, for that intelligent youth saw it coming, and ducking his head, it went with a crash through the window into the street.
"That's a clever thing to do," said Joseph, without so much as winking. "You need not get mad because I won't bet."
His father shook his fist at him.
"You'll be my death," he replied, sinking into a chair with a gasp.
"I can't help it if I am deaf," rejoined the imperturbable Joseph.
"You're sharper than a serpent's tooth."
"It wasn't very sharp of you to break the window."
"Go to Putney!"