"3. _Fred_. I think he's the older brother; probably recently
left the 'varsity; a friend of Joe's, perhaps.

"4. _Charlie_ is one of the younger brothers. He goes to some
kind of night school or gymnasium. Probably an ugly little
beggar. Why doesn't he get his food for himself?

"5. _The Mother_. Don't know anything about her except that she
went to Birmingham with Kathleen.

"6. _The Father_. Has lumbago."

"One thing you don't mention," said Graham. "It's an easy run
from here to Wolverhampton on a motor bike!"

"Rather a sell if Joe should turn out a boxing blue, and mash us
all into pulp for bagging his letter!" said Whitney. There was a
general laugh at this. Whitney was over six feet, rowed number 5
in the Balliol boat, and was nicknamed the Iron Duke for his
muscular strength.

"Go on with your chapter, Priapus," said the Goblin.



II


When Forbes had finished there was general laughter and applause.
The whimsical idea of building a tale around the persons of the