“He’s just come in, Jimmie. Mind you don’t say anything to put him out.”
“I’d just like to give ’im a piece of my mind.”
“Oh, Jimmie, don’t. It was my fault that we quarrelled this morning. I wanted to make him angry, and I nagged at him.” She knew the best way to influence her brother. “Don’t let him see that I’ve said anything to you, and I’ll try and send you a pound to-morrow.”
“Well, he’d better not start patronizing me, because I won’t put up with it. I’m a gentleman, and every bit as good as he is, if not better.” At this Basil came in, noticed James, but did not speak. “’Afternoon, Basil.”
“You here again?” he remarked indifferently.
“Looks like it, don’t it?”
“I’m afraid it does.”
“Are you? I suppose I can come and see my own sister.”
“I suppose it’s inevitable. Only I should be excessively grateful if you’d time your coming with my going, and vice versâ.”
“That means you want me to get out, I reckon.”