I told you how it 'ud be, an' the only mistake I made was comin' to live here at all.

Now I can't be left alone, an' I'll go.

You've no call to tell me a second time.' It was a long, miserable wrangle, lasting half an hour, before a possibility of agreement presented itself.

Richard at length ceased to recriminate, and allowed his mother to talk herself to satiety.

He then said: 'I'm thinking of giving up this house, mother.