Indisposed to quarrel, and possessed of small skill in verbal fence, Oliver drew aside with shadowed brow.  As the brothers still had to share one bedroom, they were presently alone together, and their muteness, as they lay down to sleep, showed the estrangement that had at length come between them.  When all had been dark and still for half-an-hour, Godwin spoke.

‘Are you awake?’

‘Yes.’

’There was something about Uncle Andrew.  I didn’t mention.  He talks of opening an eating-house just opposite Whitelaw.’

‘Oh.’

The tone of this signified nothing more than curiosity.

‘You don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t?’

Oliver delayed a little before replying.

‘I suppose it wouldn’t be very nice for you.’

’That’s rather a mild way of putting it.  It would mean that I should have to leave the College, and give up all my hopes.’

‘I see,’ returned the other, with slow apprehension.

There followed several minutes of silence.  Then Godwin sat up in bed, as had always been his wont when he talked with earnestness at night.

’If you think I lost my temper without cause at suppertime, just remember that I had that blackguard before my mind, and that it isn’t very pleasant to see you taking after that branch of our family.’

‘Do you mean to say I am like uncle?’

’I mean to say that, if you are not careful, you won’t be the kind of man I should like to see you.  Do you know what is meant by inherited tendencies?  Scientific men are giving a great deal of attention to such things nowadays.  Children don’t always take after their parents; very often they show a much stronger likeness to a grandfather, or an uncle, or even more distant relatives.  Just think over this, and make up your mind to resist any danger of that sort.  I tell you plainly that the habits you are getting into, and the people you make friends of, are detestable.  For heaven’s sake, spend more of your time in a rational way, and learn to despise the things that shopkeepers admire.  Read!  Force yourself to stick hard at solid books for two or three hours every day.  If you don’t, it’s all up with you.  I am speaking for your own good.  Read, read, read!’

Quietness ensued.  Then Oliver began to move uneasily in his bed, and at length his protest became audible.

‘I can’t see what harm I do.’

‘No!’ burst from his brother’s lips, scornfully.  ’And that’s just your danger.  Do you suppose I could sing nigger songs, and run about the town with shopboys, and waste hours over idiotic puzzles?’

‘We’re not all alike, and it wouldn’t do for us to be.’

’It would do very well for us all to have brains and to use them.  The life you lead is a brainless life, brainless and vulgar.’

‘Well, if I haven’t got brains, I can’t help it,’ replied Oliver, with sullen resignation.