“All your life,” said Mr. Omer. “I may say before it. I knew your father before you. He was five foot nine and a half, and he lays in five-and-twenty foot of ground.”

“ Rat ⁠—tat-tat, Rat ⁠—tat-tat, Rat ⁠—tat-tat,” across the yard.

“He lays in five and twenty foot of ground, if he lays in a fraction,” said Mr. Omer, pleasantly. “It was either his request or her direction, I forget which.”

“Do you know how my little brother is, sir?” I inquired.