He had unexpectedly become more grave, more restrained; he even ceased to grumble about going to church, having found that service time could be utilised for committing to memory lists of dates and the like, jotted down on a slip of paper.

When the time for the examination drew near, he at length told his mother to what end he had been labouring, and asked her to grant him the assistance necessary for his journey and the sojourn at Kingsmill; the small sum he had been able to save, after purchase of books, would not suffice.

Mrs.Peak knew not whether to approve her son's ambition or to try to repress it.

She would welcome an improval in his prospects, but, granting success, how was he to live whilst profiting by a scholarship?
And again, what did he propose to make of himself when he had spent three years in study?
'In any case,' was Godwin's reply, 'I should be sure of a good place as a teacher.

But I think I might try for something in the Civil Service; there are all sorts of positions to be got.' It was idle to discuss the future whilst the first step was still speculative.