He felt that the friendship might need clenching.
As the front door shut behind him, Sir Maurice wiped his brow with the air of one who has paused from exhausting toil: "I feel sticky--positively sticky," he said.

"Oh, Erebus, you do have gummy friends! I thought we should never get rid of him.

I thought he'd stuck himself to us for the rest of our natural lives." Mrs.Dangerfield smiled; and the Terror said in a tone of deep meaning: "That's what he's up to." "He's not a friend of mine!" cried Erebus hotly.
"We call him the Cruncher--because of his teeth," said the Terror.
"Then beware, Erebus--beware! You are young and possibly savory," said Sir Maurice.
"You children had better go and get ready for dinner," said Mrs.
Dangerfield.
The Twins went to the door.

On the threshold Erebus turned and said: "It's Mum he wants to crunch up--not me." The bolt shot, she fled through the door.
Sir Maurice looked at his sister and said softly: "Oho! I see--heroism.

That was what you wanted to consult me about." Then he laid his hand on her shoulder affectionately and added: "It won't do, Anne--it won't do at all.