I really do think, sir, it's not safe he should be left alone with his father, sir, any longer.

Such doings as we had here the other day, sir! Somehow or other--and none of us can't think how--the Major had managed to get hold of a bottle of brandy.

How he had it I don't know; but we none of us suspected him, and in the afternoon he says he was too poorly to go for a drive or to go out in his chair, and settles off on the parlour sofa for a nap while Mr.Vaughan goes out for a walk.

Mr.Vaughan was out a couple of hours.

I heard him come in and go into the sitting-room; then there came sounds of voices, and a scuffling of feet and moving of chairs, and I knew something was wrong and hurried up to the door--and just then came a crash like fire-irons, and I could hear the Major a-swearing fearful.