‘Didn’t Miss Peckover tell you?’
Joseph laughed. The girl could not grasp all these astonishing facts at once, and the presence of her father made her forget who Miss Peckover had become.
‘You mean my wife, Janey! No, no; she didn’t tell me you went to work;—an accident. But I’m delighted you and Clem are such good friends. Kind-hearted girl, isn’t she?’
Jane whispered an assent.
‘No doubt your grandfather often tells you about Australia, and your uncle that died there?’
‘No, he never speaks of Australia. And I never heard of my uncle.’
‘Indeed? Ha—hum!’
Joseph continued his examination all the way to Hanover Street, often expressing surprise, but never varying from the tone of affection and geniality. When they reached the door of the house he said:
‘Just let me go into the room by myself. I think it’ll be better. He’s alone, isn’t he?’
‘Yes. I’ll come up and show you the door.’