Peak answered with a warmth of acknowledgment which seemed to imply
that he did not often receive kindnesses. Before long he was free to
leave the College, and at the exit he overtook Earwaker, who carried
a brown paper parcel.

'Come and have some tea with me across the way, will you?' said the
literary prizeman. 'I have a couple of hours to wait for my train.'

'All right. I envy you that five-volume Spenser.'

'I wish they had given me five authors I don't possess instead. I
think I shall sell this.'

Earwaker laughed as he said it--a strange chuckle from deep down
in his throat. A comparison of the young men, as they walked side by
side, showed that Peak was of better physical type than his comrade.
Earwaker had a slight, unshapely body and an ill-fitting head; he
walked with excessive strides and swung his thin arm nervously.
Probably he was the elder of the two, and he looked twenty. For
Peak's disadvantages of person, his studious bashfulness and poverty
of attire were mainly responsible. With improvement in general
health even his features might have a tolerable comeliness, or at
all events would not be disagreeable. Earwaker's visage was homely,
and seemed the more so for his sprouting moustache and beard.

'Have you heard any talk about Walsh?' the latter inquired, as they
walked on.

Peak shrugged his shoulders, with a laugh.