-I'll tell you all about it
some day, my dear--and I wanted just to settle myself before--I dare
say you'll understand what I mean. I suppose your grandfather has often
spoken to you about me?'

'Not very often, father,' was the murmured answer.

'Well, well; things'll soon be set right. I feel quite proud of you,
Janey; I do, indeed. And I suppose you just keep house for him, eh?'

'I go to work as well.'

'What? You go to work? How's that, I wonder?'

'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.'

She did so, then turned aside into her own room, where she sat
motionless for a long time.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE JOKE IS COMPLETED

Michael Snowdon--to distinguish the old man by name from the son who
thus unexpectedly returned to him--professed no formal religion. He
attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should
do so. We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral
instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday
morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance,
and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human
bearing. Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her
grandfather's purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself
dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were
unimportant. That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire
he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved
therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature. Born and
bred amid the indifference of the London working classes