Already several collegians had passed, giving Peak a nod and scanning his companion; a moment's delay and Chilvers would be upon him. Without another word, Godwin moved across the broad street to the place of refreshment which his uncle had indicated, and whither Earwaker had preceded them. It was a pastry-cook's, occasionally visited by the alumni of Whitelaw. In the rear of the shop a little room offered seats and tables, and here, Godwin knew, Earwaker would be found. 'Let us go up-stairs,' he said, leading to a side entrance. 'There's a quieter room.' 'Right you are!' The uncle--his name was Andrew Peak--paused to make a survey of the premises. When he entered, his scrutiny of the establishment was close, and he seemed to reflect with interest upon all he saw. The upper room was empty; a long table exhibited knives and forks, but there were no signs of active business. Andrew pulled a bell-rope; the summons was answered by an asthmatic woman, who received an order for tea, toast, 'watercreases', and sundry other constituents of a modest meal. 'Come 'ere often, Godwin?' inquired Andrew, as he stood by the window and mused. 'Now and then, for a bun.' 'Much custom from your show over the wye?' 'Not so much as a better place would have.' 'Young gents don't live at the Collige, they tell me?' 'No, there's no residence.' 'So naturally they want a plyce where they can 'ev a nibble, somewheres 'andy?' 'Yes. We have to go further into the town for a decent dinner.' 'Jest what I thought!' exclaimed Andrew, slapping his leg. 'With a establishment like that opposyte, there'd ought to be a medium-sized Spiers & Pond at this 'ere street corner for any man as knows 'is wye about. That's _my_ idea, Godwin--see?' Peak had as yet given but half an ear to his relative's discourse; he had answered mechanically, and only now was constrained to serious attention by a note of meaning in the last interrogative. He looked at the speaker; and Andrew, in the manner of one accustomed to regard life as a game of cunning, first winked with each eye, then extended one cheek with the pressure of his tongue. Sickened with disgust, Godwin turned suddenly away,--a movement entirely lost upon his uncle, who imagined the young man to be pondering a fruitful suggestion. 'I don't mind tellin' you, Godwin,' pursued Andrew presently, in a cautious voice, laying an open hand against his trousers-pocket, 'as I've been a-doin' pretty good business lytely. Been growin' a bit--see? I'm runnin' round an' keepin' my heyes open understand? Thoughts I, now, if I could come acrosst a nicet little openin', somethink in the rest'rant line, _that's_ what 'ud sewt me jest about down to the ground. I'm cut out for it--see? I've got the practical experience, and I've got the capital; and as soon as I got a squint of this little corner shop--understand what I mean?'