His mother moved curtly aside to let him pass.

No one spoke.
He was very uncomfortable.

For some minutes he sat pretending to read a piece of paper he found on the table.

Then-- "I forgot that bread, mother," he said.
There was no answer from either woman.
"Well," he said, "it's only twopence ha'penny.

I can pay you for that." Being angry, he put three pennies on the table and slid them towards his mother.