The book is Harry Potter Sorcerer Stone by J.K Rowling. Uncle Vernon was trying to be nice to Harry. Then they heard the mail man dropping off the mail for that day. Earlier before that day there had been another letter. They also argued when Harry wanted the letter but Uncle Vernon would give it to then.
With a strangled cry, Uncle Vernon leapt from his seat and ran down the
hall, Harry right behind him. Uncle Vernon had to wrestle Dudley to the
ground to get the letter from him, which was made difficult by the fact
that Harry had grabbed Uncle Vernon around the neck from behind. After a
minute of confused fighting, in which everyone got hit a lot by the
Smelting stick, Uncle Vernon straightened up, gasping for breath, with
Harry’s letter clutched in his hand (p.30).
I love this quotation because it represents Uncle Vernon and Harry’s relationship throughout the book and how the rivalry they have. I also love how J.K Rowling says everyone got hit by the Smelting stick even though he was going for just Harry.