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'Mother expects you to-morrow, she tells me, said Andrew, when his companion's taciturnity had suggested a change of topic. 'Shouldn't wonder if you see me over at Twybridge again before long. I was to remember your awnt and your cousin Jowey to you. You wouldn't know Jowey? the sharpest lad of his age as ever I knowed, is Jowey.
Having deposited his handbag and umbrella on the sofa, he seated himself in the easy-chair, and began to blow his nose with vigour. 'Set down, Jowey; set down, bo-oy! Down't be afride of your awnt. 'Oi ain't afride! cried the youth, in a tone which supported his assertion. Mrs. Peak trembled with annoyance and indecision.
''E ain't no fool, ain't Jowey! cried the parent. 'Wite till 'e gits to Collige. Godwin'll put us up to all the ins and outs. Plenty o' time for that; 'e'll often run over an' 'ev a bit o' dinner, and no need to talk about p'yment. 'Do you stay in Twybridge to-night? inquired Godwin, who had changed in look and manner, so that he appeared all but cheerful.
The father turned round with an expression of such sincere pride that Godwin, for all his loathing, was obliged to smile. 'Jowey, jest sye a few verses of poitry; them as you learnt larst. 'E's good at poitry, is Jowey. The boy broke into fearsome recitation: 'The silly buckits on the deck That 'ed so long rem'ined, I dreamt as they was filled with jew, End when I awowk, it r'ined.
They descended. As soon as his nephew appeared, Andrew sprang up, and shouted joyfully: 'Well, Godwin, bo-oy! It's all settled! Got the bloomin' shop from next quarter dye! "Peak's Dinin' and Refreshment Rooms!" Jowey an' me was over there all yisterday wasn't us, Jowey? Oh, it's immense! Godwin felt the blood buzz in his ears, and a hot choking clutch at his throat.
Encounter with the fatal Andrew had been spared him ever since that decisive day when Master Jowey Peak recited from Coleridge and displayed his etymological genius. For himself, he had earned daily bread, and something more; he had studied in desultory fashion; he had seen a good deal of the British Isles and had visited Paris.
'I told you you'd 'ev the pleasure of seem' me again before so very long. Godwin at 'ome with you, I s'pose? Thet you, Noll? 'Ow do, my bo-oy? 'Ere's yer cousin Jowey. Shike 'ands, Jowey bo-oy! Sorry I couldn't bring my old lady over this time, Grace; she sends her respects, as usual. 'Ow's Charlotte? Bloomin', I 'ope? He had made his way into the front parlour, dragging the youngster after him.
Godwin, though his passions were of exceptional force, must needs refine, debate with himself points of abstract justice. 'I've been tellin' Jowey, Grace, as I 'ope he may turn out such another as Godwin 'ere. 'E'll go to Collige, will Jowey. Godwin, jest arst the bo-oy a question or two, will you? 'E ain't been doin' bad at 'is school. Jest put 'im through 'is pyces, as yer may sye.
Stend up, Jowey, bo-oy. Godwin looked askance at his cousin, who stood with pert face, ready for any test. 'What's the date of William the Conqueror? he asked, mechanically. 'Ow! shouted the youth. 'Down't mike me larff! Zif I didn't know thet! Tensixsixtenightysivn, of course!
'No, we're on our w'y 'ome, is Jowey an' me. Jest thought we'd break the journey 'ere. We shall ketch the six-fifty hup. 'Then you will have a cup of tea with us, said Mrs. Peak, surprised at Godwin's transformation, but seeing that hospitality was now unavoidable. Charlotte presently entered the house, and, after a private conversation with her mother, went to greet Andrew.
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