If this Ratman is my brother--" The tutor, who himself was showing signs of irritation, laughed abruptly.
"It may be a joke to you, but it is none to me," said Roger angrily.
"It may not concern you--" "It concerns me very much," said the tutor.

"I am your guardian, and it is my duty to protect you from schemers." The two stood looking at one another, and in that moment each relented a little of his anger.
"I know, old fellow," said Roger, "you think you are doing me a kindness, but--" "Pardon me--kindness is not the word.

I appeal to your common-sense--" Unlucky speech! Roger, who was painfully aware that he was not clever, was naturally touchy at any reference to his common-sense.
"It doesn't seem much use discussing," said he.

"I made a mistake in showing you the letter." "I heartily regret you did." "I hoped you would have helped me in my difficulty." "I will do anything for you except believe, without proof, and in spite of every probability, that Ratman is your brother." "He is just the age my brother would have been now." "So is George the coachman, so am I, so are half a dozen men in the village." "He certainly has some resemblance to the portrait." "I could find you a score more like it in London." "The long and short of it is, Armstrong, I cannot look to you to back me up in this." "To make Robert Ratman into Roger Ingleton ?--I fear not.

To back you up in all else, and be at your call whether you think well or ill of me-- certainly." They parted angrily, though without a quarrel.