Mr. Bower put the question in a casual way; in truth, it was designed to elicit information which he much desired.  He knew that for some time Grail had been on a new footing with the lecturer, that the two often remained together after the class had dispersed; it was a privilege which he regarded disapprovingly, because it lessened his own dignity in the eyes of the other men.  He wondered what the subject of these private conversations might be; there had seemed to him something of mystery in Grail’s manner when he was plied with a friendly inquiry or two.

‘I’ve heard him speak of the lectures,’ said Lydia.  ’He says he enjoys them very much.’

’To be sure.  Yes, they’re very fair lectures, very fair, in their way.  I don’t know as I’ve cared quite so much for ’em lately as I did at first.  I’ve felt he was falling off a little.  I gave him a hint a few weeks ago; just told him in a quiet way as I thought 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?’