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Not long after midnight the potman made his appearance. As always, on returning from his sixteen-hour day of work, he was all but insensible with fatigue. Entering the room, he turned his white face with an expression of stupid wonderment to the corner in which Bob lay. The latter raised himself to a sitting posture. 'That you, Bob Hewett?
In vain she sought an explanation; Pennyloaf professed to know nothing of her husband's motives, but implored her friend to keep away for a time, as any disregard of Bob's injunction would only result in worse troubles than she yet had to endure. Jane sought the aid of Kirkwood, begging him to interfere with young Hewett; the attempt was made, but proved fruitless.
"Certainly," I replied, for Mrs. Hewett was not only a profitable patient but an estimable lady "I shall be with you in a quarter of an hour." I hung up the receiver. "Something urgent?" asked Eltham, emptying his pipe. "Sounds like it. You had better turn in." "I should much prefer to walk over with you, if it would not be intruding. Our conversation has ill prepared me for sleep." "Right!"
The company which was exerting itself in the present instance had at all events an appreciative audience; laughter and applause broke forth very frequently. 'I'd forgot it was this kind o' thing to-night, said Hewett, when he could discover no vacant seat. 'Do you care about it? No more don't I; let's go down into the readin'-room. Downstairs they established themselves at their ease.
He took a seat at the counter and ordered a luncheon. Clara waited upon him with her customary cold reserve, and he made no remark until she returned him change out of the coin he offered. Then he said with an apologetic smile: 'We are old acquaintances, Miss Hewett, but I'm afraid you've forgotten me. Clara regarded him in astonishment.
I suppose mother's told you what she offers me? Sidney had not resumed his chair. Before Hewett could reply he said: 'I think I'll leave you to talk over this alone. 'No; stay where you are, said John gruffly. 'Look here, Clara. Sidney's been talkin' to me; he's been sayin' that I ought to let you have your own way in this.
'It takes it out of you, I'm afraid. Suppose we have a drop of something at the corner here? 'I don't mind, Mr. Snowdon. I thought of looking in at my club for a quarter of an hour; perhaps you'd come round with me afterwards? They drank at the public-house, then Hewett led the way by back streets to the quarters of the club of which he had been for many years a member.
Hewett had merely abandoned himself to an unreasonable resentment. Notwithstanding his concessions, he blamed Sidney for the girl's leaving home, and, as his mood grew more irritable, the more hopeless it seemed that Clara would return, he nursed the suspicion of treacherous behaviour on Sidney's part.
What they did know, because it had oozed out some time before, was that Cyril Carey, though a banker's son, was lamentably weak in arithmetic, and his handwriting would have been held a disgrace to any shop-boy. Money was required to start lads in the world in the humblest fashion. Ned Hewett wanted an outfit, and if possible furniture for his station-house, that he might not begin on credit.
'Ah, you here, Hewett! exclaimed Joseph, in a genial tone, designed to put the other at his ease. 'I just wanted a word with our friend. Never mind; some other time. For all that, he did not seem disposed to withdraw, but stood with a hand on the door, smiling. Sidney, having nodded to him, walked the length of the room, his head bent and his hands behind him.
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