Ronald and Julian, aged fifteen and fourteen respectively, were both lying prostrate on their beds.
Julian uttered a forced laugh at the sight of his mother's face.

"My dear Mater, for Heaven's sake don't come fussing round here! We've been smoking some filthy cigars--little beastly Brown dared us to--and there's been the devil to pay.

I can't get up.

My tummy won't let me." "Oh, Julian, why do you do it ?" said Mrs.Lorimer, in great distress.
"You know what your father said the last time." She bent over him.

Julian was her favourite of them all.