I lunged at Rucker, and with a sweep of my arms, threw him staggering across the room.

The girl screamed, and ran to, and behind him.

I stormed through to the kitchen, expecting to find my mother back there, working for this smooth, sly, scroundrelly pair; but the place was deserted.

There were dirty pots and pans about; and a pile of unwashed dishes stacked high in the sink--and this struck me with despair.

If my mother had been about, and able to work, such a thing would have been impossible.