"You appear to be oblivious of the fact that you were not even an acquaintance of my mother's; and as those persons she did not wish to know we do not care to know either, we shall be obliged by your leaving the house at your earliest possible convenience." "Inside two seconds," added Dick. "Perhaps you'd like a little assistance." "It's always to be got." These two remarks came from the twins. The Ogre laid down on the table what he had been holding. A very ugly look came on his face. "This is an extraordinary world. I don't want to say anything offensive--" "You can say what you like," cried Dick. "I intend to, my lad." "Don't call me your lad!" The Ogre looked at Dick. And this time he gave him glance for glance. And I knew, from the expression which was on both their faces, that if we were not careful there was going to be trouble. I am not sure that my heart did not quail. The Ogre spoke as if my brother was unworthy even his contempt. "Mr Dick Boyes, you appear to be under the impression that you are still at school, and can play the bully here, and treat me as I have no doubt you are in the habit of treating the smaller chaps there. You never made a greater mistake in the course of your short life. I am not the kind of man who will allow himself to be bullied by a hobbledehoy. I give you fair warning that if you treat me to any of your insolence the consequences will be on your own head--and other parts of you as well. Don't you flatter yourself that the presence of your little sisters will shield you from them." "Throw something at him!" "Down him with a pail of water!" These suggestions proceeded from the twins. The Ogre turned his attention to them. "If you two youngsters want a row you shall have it. And it will take the shape of the best licking you've ever had yet. You'll not be the first pair of unmannerly cubs I've had to take in hand." I spoke; I wanted peace. "There's not the slightest necessity for you to talk like that, Mr Miller. We're quite willing to believe that you're more than a match for any number of helpless children. But this is our house--" "Indeed! Are you sure of that?" "Of course I am sure. Do you mean to say that it is not?" "At present I am saying nothing. I only advise you not to be too confident on a point on which some very disagreeable surprise may be in store for you." "At anyrate, it is not your house. And all we ask--with all possible politeness--is that you should leave it." "So that is all you ask. It seems to me to be a good deal." "I don't know why it should. If you were a gentleman it would not be necessary to ask you twice." "If I were a gentleman? I suppose if I came up to a school-girl's notion of what a gentleman ought to be--a sort of glorified schoolboy. I'm a good deal older than you, Miss Boyes--" "You certainly are!" "I certainly am, thank goodness!" "I am glad you are thankful for something."