Mutimer, who happened to be crossing the hall, heard them,
and went to open the door. The result was that his brother fell
forward at full length upon the mat.
'Get up, drunken beast!' Richard exclaimed angrily.
'Beast yourself,' was the hiccupped reply, repeated several times
whilst 'Arry struggled to his feet. Then, propping himself against
the door-post, the maligned youth assumed the attitude of pugilism,
inviting all and sundry to come on and have their lights
extinguished. Richard flung him into the hall and closed the door.
'Arry had again to struggle with gravitation.
'Walk upstairs, if you can!' ordered his brother with contemptuous
severity.
After much trouble 'Arry was got to his room, thrust in, and the
door slammed behind him.
Richard was not disposed to argue with his brother this time. He
waited in the dining-room next morning till the champion of liberty
presented himself; then, scarcely looking at him, said with quiet
determination:
'Pack your clothes some time to-day. You're going to Wanley
to-morrow morning.'
'Not unless I choose,' remarked 'Arry.
'You look here,' exclaimed the elder, with concentrated savageness
which did credit to his powers of command. What you choose has
nothing to do with it, and that you'll please to understand.
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