'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?'

Godwin was endeavouring to masticate a piece of toast, but it turned
to sawdust upon his palate. Of a sudden, when the bilious gloom of
his countenance foretold anything but mirth, he burst into hard
laughter. Andrew smote him jovially on the back.

'Tickles you, eh, bo-oy? "Peak's Refreshment an' Dinin' Rooms!"
Everything tip-top, mind; respectable business, Godwin; nothing for
nobody to be ashamed of--~that~ wouldn't do, of course.'

The young man's laughter ended as abruptly as it had begun, but his
visage was no longer clouded with bitter misery. A strange
indifference seemed to have come upon him, and whilst the
speculative uncle talked away with increasing excitement, he ate and
drank heedlessly.