We mustn't be hard with her just because she can't change, poor old soul.' Socialistic business took him away during the evening.

When he returned at eleven o'clock, 'Arry had not yet come in.

Shortly before one there were sounds of ineffectual effort at the front-door latch.

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.