Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/91

 posture of his body and the forward drooping of his head would have made it appear that he slept. Joseph stepped towards him, and at length the old man looked up. He gazed at his visitor, first unintelligently, then with wonder and growing emotion.

“Jo?—Jo, at last? You were in my mind only a few minutes ago, but I saw you as a boy.”

He rose from the chair and held out both his hands, trembling more than they were wont to do.

“I almost wonder you knew me,” said Joseph. "It’s seventeen years since we saw each other. It was all Jane could do to remember me."

“Jane? Where have you seen her? At the house in the Close?"

“Yes. It was me she went to see, but she didn’t know it. I’ve just been married to Miss Peckover. Sit down again, father, and let’s talk over things quietly.”

“Married to Miss Peckover?" repeated the old man, as if making an effort to understand