All very well, if the question signified, in what way to provide for
the healthy development of his manhood. Of course it meant nothing
of the sort, but merely: What work can be found for him whereby he
may earn his daily bread? We--his kinsfolk even, not to think of
the world at large--can have no concern with his growth as an
intellectual being; we are hard pressed to supply our own mouths
with food; and now that we have done our recognised duty by him, it
is high time that he learnt to fight for his own share of provender.
Happily, he is of the robust sex; he can hit out right and left, and
make standing-room. We have armed him with serviceable weapons, and
now he must use them against the enemy--that is to say, against
all mankind, who will quickly enough deprive him of sustenance if he
fail in the conflict. We neither know, nor in great measure care,
for what employment he is naturally marked. Obviously he cannot
heave coals or sell dogs' meat, but with negative certainty not much
else can be resolved, seeing how desperate is the competition for
minimum salaries. He has been born, and he must eat. By what
licensed channel may he procure the necessary viands?

Paternal relatives Godwin had as good as none. In quitting London,
Nicholas Peak had ceased to hold communication with any of his own
stock save the younger brother Andrew. With him he occasionally
exchanged a letter, but Andrew's share in the correspondence was
limited to ungrammatical and often unintelligible hints of numerous
projects for money-making. Just after the removal of the bereaved
family to Twybridge, they were surprised by a visit from Andrew, in
answer to one of whose letters Mrs. Peak had sent news of her
husband's death. Though her dislike of the man amounted to loathing,
the widow could not refuse him hospitality; she did her best,