ht he was going too
far into things that weren't very interesting, but he didn't seem quite
to see it. It's always the way with young men of his kind; when you
give them a bit of advice, it makes them obstinate. Well, he'll see
when he begins again after Christmas. Thomas and Linwood are giving it
up, and I shall be rather surprised if Johnson holds out for another
course.'

'But I suppose you'll go, Mr. Bower?' said Lydia.

Bower stuck his forefingers into his waistcoat pockets, held his head
as one who muses, clicked with his tongue.

'I shall see,' he replied, with a judicial air. 'I don't like to give
the young feller up. You see, I may say as it was me put him on the
idea. We had a lot of talk about one thing and another one day at the
works, and a hint of mine set him off. I should like to make the
lectures successful; I believe they're a good thing, if they are
properly carried out. I'm a believer in education. It's the educated
men as get on in the world. Teach a man to use his brains and he'll
soon be worth double wages. But Egremont must keep up to the mark if
he's to have my support. I shall have to have a word or two with him
before he begins again. By-the-by, I passed him in Kennington Road just
now; I wonder what he's doing about here at this time. Been to the
works, perhaps.'

Whilst the portly man thus delivered himself, Lydia let her arm rest on
Mr. Boddy's shoulder. It was a caress which he sometimes received from
her; he looked round at her affectionately, then continued to pay
attention to the weighty words which fell from Mr. Bower. Mrs. Bower,
who was loss impressed by her husband's utterances, bent over her
sewing. In this way Lydia was able craftily to secure the measurement
she needed. And having got this, she was anxious to be back with Thyrza.

'I suppose it's no use waiting for Mary,' she said, rising.

'I don't suppose she'll be back not before nine o'clock,' Mrs. Bower
replied. 'Did you want her partic'lar?'

'Oh no, it'll do any time.'

'Whilst I think of it,' said Mrs. Bower, letting her sewing fall upon
her lap and settling the upper part of her stout body in an attitude of
dignity; 'you and your sister 'll come an' eat your Christmas dinner
with us?'

Lydia east down her eyes.

'It's very kind of you, Mrs. Bower, but I'm sure I don't know whether
Thyrza 'll be well enough. I must be very careful of her for a time.'

'Well, well, you'll see. It'll only be a quiet little fam