A neighbour in a pair of corduroy trousers, supported by one brace worn diagonally, shambled across the road.
"What's up ?" he inquired, with a jerk of the thumb in the direction of Mr.Vickers's vanished family.
"Up ?" repeated Mr.Vickers, with an air of languid surprise.
"Somebody died and left you a fortin ?" inquired the other.
"Not as I knows of," replied Mr.Vickers, staring.

"Why ?" "Why ?" exclaimed the other.

"Why, new clothes all over.

I never see such a turn-out." Mr.Vickers regarded him with an air of lofty disdain.

"Kids must 'ave new clothes sometimes, I s'pose ?" he said, slowly.