"Before they added on that part at the back the dining-room used to be in the basement.

I remember doing some work down there when I was a young man and there was going to be a wedding." "Well, that long room is very little use to me," returned Vetch.

"As far as I am concerned they might have left the house as it was built." Then turning abruptly to Stephen, he said sharply: "You heard Gershom's parting shot at me, didn't you ?" There was a gleam of quizzical humour in his eyes, and Stephen found himself asking, as so many others had asked before him, "Is the man serious, or is he making a joke?
Does he wish me to receive this as a confidence or with pretended hilarity ?" "Something about telling the crowd ?" he answered.

"Yes, I heard it." "We were having a tussle," continued Vetch lightly.

"The fat's in the fire at last." Stephen laughed drily.