Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/92

 the words. “Then why didn’t you come here before?”

Joseph gave the explanation which he had already devised for the benefit of his daughter. His manner of speaking was meant to be very respectful, but it suggested that he looked upon the hearer as suffering from feebleness of mind, as well as of body. He supplemented his sentences with gestures and smiles, glancing about the room meantime with looks of much curiosity.

“So you’ve been living here a long time, father? It was uncommonly good of you to take care of my girl. I daresay you’ve got so used to having her by you, you wouldn’t care for her to go away now?”

“Do you wish to take Jane away?” Michael inquired gravely.

“No, no; not I! Why, it’s nothing but her duty to keep you company and be what use she can. She’s happy enough, that I can see. Well, well; I’ve gone through a good deal since the old days, father, and I’m not what you used to know me. I’m gladder