You haven't been set to sweep out a room." Horace whistled.
"Whew! that _is_ a drop too much! But," he added, taking his brother's arm, "don't cut it yet, old man, for mother's sake, don't.

I'll come and help you do it if I can.

Why couldn't they have given it me to do, and let you go the messages!" Reginald said nothing, but let his brother lead him back slowly to the big room presided over by Mr Durfy.
"Where is it ?" Horace inquired of him at the door.
"That little room in the corner." "All right.

I'll come if I possibly can.

Do try it, old man, won't you ?" "I'll try it," said Reginald, with something very like a groan as he opened the door and walked grimly back to the back case-room.
Horace, full of fear and trembling on his brother's account, hurried with his copy to Mr Durfy, and waited impatiently till that grandee condescended to relieve him of it.
"Is there anything else ?" he inquired, as he gave it up.
"Anything else?
Yes, plenty; but don't come bothering me now." Horace waited for no more elaborate statement of Mr Durfy's wishes, but thankfully withdrew, and made straight for Reginald.
He found him half hidden, half choked by the dust of his own raising, as he drew his broom in a spiritless way across the black dry floor.
He paused in his occupation as Horace entered, and for a moment, as the two stood face to face coughing and sneezing, a sense of the ludicrous overcame them, and they finished up their duet with a laugh.
"I say," said Horace, as soon as he could get words, "I fancy a little water would be an improvement here." "Where are we to get it from ?" said Reg.
"I suppose there must be some about.