“It's a fine night,” said Tom.

“Ay,” said Alfred.

“Nice to get out.”

“Ay.”

The brothers walked close together, the bond of blood strong between them. Tom always felt very much the junior to Alfred.

“It's a long while since you left home,” he said.

“Ay,” said Alfred. “I thought I was getting a bit oldish — but I'm not. It's the things you've got as gets worn out, it's not you yourself.”

“Why, what's worn out?”

“Most folks as I've anything to do with — as has anything to do with me. They all break down. You've got to go on by yourself, if it's only to perdition. There's nobody going alongside even there.”