He who thus accosted the student, with the most offensive purity of Cockney accent, was a man of five-and-forty, dressed in a new suit of ready-made tweeds, the folding crease strongly marked down the front of the trousers and the coat sleeves rather too long. His face bore a strong impress of vulgarity, but at the same time had a certain ingenuousness, a self-absorbed energy and simplicity, which saved it from being wholly repellent; the brow was narrow, the eyes small and bright, and the coarse lips half hid themselves under a struggling reddish growth. In these lineaments lurked a family resemblance to Godwin Peak, sufficient to support a claim of kindred which at this moment might have seemed improbable. At the summons of recognition Godwin stood transfixed; his arms fell straight, and his head drew back as if to avoid a blow. For an instant he was clay colour, then a hot flush broke upon his cheeks. 'I shan't be able to go with you,' he said, in a thick, abrupt voice, addressing Earwaker but not regarding him. 'Good-bye!' The other offered his hand and, without speaking, walked away. 'Prize-dye at the Collige, they tell me,' pursued Godwin's relative, looking at a cluster of people that passed. 'What 'ave you took?' 'One or two class-prizes,' replied the student, his eyes on the ground. 'Shall we walk to my lodgings?' 'I thought you might like to walk me over the show. But pr'aps you're in a 'urry?' 'No, no. But there's nothing particular to see. I think the lecture-rooms are closed by now.' 'Oo's the gent as stands there?--the figger, I mean.' 'Sir Job Whitelaw, founder of the College.' 'Job, eh? And was you a-goin' 'ome to yer tea, Godwin?' 'Yes.' 'Well, then, look 'ere, 'spose we go to the little shop opposyte--nice little plyce it looks. I could do a cup o' tea myself, and we can 'ev a quite confab. It's a long time since we'ed a talk together. I come over from Twybridge this mornin'; slep' there last night, and saw yer mother an' Oliver. They couldn't give me a bed, but that didn't mike no matter; I put up at the Norfolk Harms--five-an-six for bed an' breakfast. Come along, my bo-oy; I stand treat.' Godwin glanced about him. From the College was approaching what seemed to be a formal procession; it consisted of Bruno Chilvers, supported on either hand by ladies and followed by an admiring train. 'You had better come to my lodgings with me, uncle,' said the young man hurriedly, moving forward. 'No, no; I won't be no expense to you, Godwin, bo-oy. And I 'ave a reason for wantin' to go to the little shop opposyte.'