"Beatrice, what do you know?" Alister demanded, suddenly disgruntled. "Wait a second. Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"
"Because you're a giant baby who's always looking for his pacifier," Beatrice retorted with undisguised scorn. "Grow up, Alister. You're a man in your forties."
Alister had been sitting next to Beatrice, but after hearing her "grow up" comment, he defiantly lifted both of his legs and propped them on the dining table in front of her, shooting her a provocative look.
"You bastard!" Beatrice punched Alister again, then stood up and moved to the seat next to Timothy.
"Alright, quiet down," Timothy said, asserting his authority as the eldest brother. He turned to Alexander. "Father, what is this all about?"
Alexander simply watched his children bicker, observing them in silence. Only after Timothy spoke and everyone had quieted down did he slowly begin to speak.
