‘Yes.  We have to go further into the town for a decent dinner.’

‘Jest what I thought!’ exclaimed Andrew, slapping his leg.  ’With a establishment like that opposyte, there’d. ought to be a medium-sized Spiers & Pond at this ’ere street corner for any man as knows ‘is wye about.  That’s my idea, Godwin—­see?’

Peak had as yet given but half an ear to his relative’s discourse; he had answered mechanically, and only now was constrained to serious attention by a note of meaning in the last interrogative.  He looked at the speaker; and Andrew, in the manner of one accustomed to regard life as a game of cunning, first winked with each eye, then extended one cheek with the pressure of his tongue.  Sickened with disgust, Godwin turned suddenly away,—­a movement entirely lost upon his uncle, who imagined the young man to be pondering a fruitful suggestion.

‘I don’t mind tellin’ you, Godwin,’ pursued Andrew presently, in a cautious voice, laying an open hand against his trousers-pocket, ’as I’ve been a-doin’ pretty good business lytely.  Been growin’ a bit—­ see?  I’m runnin’ round an’ keepin’ my heyes open understand?  Thoughts I, now, if I could come acrosst a nicet little openin’, somethink in the rest’rant line, that’s what ’ud sewt me jest about down to the ground.  I’m cut out for it—­see?  I’ve got the practical experience, and I’ve got the capital; and as soon as I got a squint of this little corner shop—­understand what I mean?’

His eyes gleamed with eagerness which was too candid for the typically vulgar mind.  In his self-satisfaction he exhibited a gross cordiality which might have made rather an agreeable impression on a person otherwise disinterested.

At this point the asthmatic woman reappeared, carrying a laden tray.  Andrew at once entered into conversation with her, framing his remarks and queries so as to learn all he could concerning the state of the business and the disposition of its proprietors.  His nephew, meanwhile, stung to the core with shame, kept apart, as if amusing himself with the prospect from the window, until summoned to partake of the meal.  His uncle expressed contempt of everything laid before them.

‘This ain’t no wye of caterin’ for young gents at Collige!’ he exclaimed.  ‘If there ain’t a openin’ ’ere, then I never see one.  Godwin, bo-oy, ’ow much longer’ll it be before you’re out of you’re time over there?’

‘It’s uncertain—­I can’t say.’

’But ain’t it understood as you stay till you’ve passed the top standard, or whatever it’s called?’

‘I really haven’t made up my mind what to do.’

‘But you’ll be studyin’ ‘ere for another twelve months, I dessay?’

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Why? cos s’posin’ I got ‘old o’ this ’ere little shop, or another like it close by, me an’ you might come to an understandin’—­see?  It might be worth your while to give a ’int to the young gents as you’re in with—­eh?’