Brandon, hysterically, "I didn't mean Sam."

"If you'd go and stop in the drawing-room, Richard, and not interfere, I
should feel obliged."

"Nothing would have pleased me better, James," said his brother coldly;
"but the riot was getting too loud--I was obliged to come."

"Then, now go and wait. The dinner will be ready soon."

"That it just won't," cried cook viciously; "and if you're a gentleman,
though you are master's own brother, you'll come and help me."

"There is no need," said Uncle Richard, in his quiet way. "Mr Brandon
is not going to beat his nephew. He was very angry, no doubt, but
that's all over now; and as to the dinner, my dear madam, while I act
the peacemaker, I hope you will bear in mind that I am very hungry, and
should be very glad of some of the good things you were preparing, when
in your genuine, womanly way you felt yourself called upon to defend
this boy."

"Look here, Richard," began Mr Brandon.

"Tut--tut--tut, man, be quiet. Tom, my lad, go up-stairs to your room
and make yourself decent. Fanny, my good girl, you are spoiling an
expensive dress put on in my honour. Mary, my child, there are two or
three sharp pieces of the broken vase here. Would you mind? Thank you.
These things are very sharp. Now you, Sam, jump up, and go and wash
yourself. Do you hear?"

"Confound it all, Richard!" began Mr Brandon.

"Tut--tut, quiet, man!" said Uncle Richard; "there's nothing the matter
with the fellow."

"He's half killed--dangerously hurt," protested Mrs Brandon.

"Not he, my dear Fanny. I saw him watching the proceedings with one eye
open. Come, Sam, no nonsense. Get up, and go to your room; and don't
you dare to interfere with Tom, because if you do I shall come up
myself. Let me see; I think I have a bit of a hold on you, have I not?"

Sam's eyes both opened widely, and he rose to his feet, then directed an
imploring look at his uncle, who drew back, pointed up the stairs, and
the lad shivered slightly as he went slowly by him, and began to ascend.

"Hang it all, Richard, is this house mine or is it yours?" said James
Brandon.

"Mine," said his brother--"while I am your guest, of course. Thank you,
Jem, I'll take my cane, if you please. It is a favourite old malacca--a
presentation."

He took the cane quietly from his brother's hand and replaced it in the
stand, with the result that cook uttered a titter and hurried
down-stairs, followed by Mary, bearing a dustp