Those continual bangings over the head and stomach would have weakened whatever affection the short brother might originally have felt towards his long relation.

At least, he would insist upon the umbrella being left at home.
"I will go for a walk with you," he might say, "I will stand stock still with you in Trafalgar Square in the midst of the traffic while you ask me silly riddles, but not if you persist in bringing with you that absurd umbrella.

You are too handy with it.

Put it back in the rack before we start, or go out by yourself." Besides, my sense of justice is outraged.

Why should the short brother be banged and thumped without reason?
The Greek dramatist would have explained to us that the shorter brother had committed a crime against the gods.