'Nothing? What do you mean by that?' enquired the Great Vance. 'Don't

set up your chat to me!'

I mean simply nothing,' said his brother. 'I have nothing to eat, and

nothing to buy it with. I've only had a cup of tea and a sandwich all

this day myself.'

'Only a sandwich?' sneered Vance. 'I suppose YOU'RE going to complain

next. But you had better take care: I've had all I mean to take; and

I can tell you what it is, I mean to dine and to dine well. Take your

signets and sell them.'

I can't today,' objected Morris; 'it's Sunday.'

I tell you I'm going to dine!' cried the younger brother.

But if it's not possible, Johnny?' pleaded the other.

You nincompoop!' cried Vance. 'Ain't we householders? Don't they know

us at that hotel where Uncle Parker used to come. Be off with you; and

if you ain't back in half an hour, and if the dinner ain't good, first

I'll lick you till you don't want to breathe, and then I'll go straight

to the police and blow the gaff. Do you understand that, Morris

Finsbury? Because if you do, you had better jump.'

249

The Wrong Box