Our doorbell rang. Mum answered it.

She came into the room, with two policemen behind her.

"Excuse me, dear," she said. "These men want a word with you."

"What's up?" asked Dad.

"Were you responsible for that loud music?"

"Yes, well, half of it anyway, but so were the neighbors. They started it!"

"Were you aware that there were burglars next door, while you were playing your music so loud?"

"Burglars? No!"

"Apparently they needed the extra noise so they could blow a safe. It seems that unbeknownst to you, you were aiding and abetting their criminal activities!"

I sat beside Dad in the police car as we went to the station.

"We weren't very good neighbors, were we, Dad?" I said.

"How would you like Joan Sutherland stuffed up your nose?" he asked.

I kept very quiet after that.