Between John and Snowdon, now that they stood
in the relations of master and servant, there was naturally no
longer familiar intercourse, and, in begging leave of absence for
his journey northwards, Hewett only said that a near relative had
met with a bad accident. But it would be easy, Joseph decided, to
win the man's confidence again, and thus be apprised of all that
went on. With Clem he kept silence on the subject; not improbably
she would learn sooner or later what had happened, and indeed, as
things now stood, it did not matter much; but on principle he
excluded her as much as possible from his confidence. He knew she
hated him, and he was not backward in returning the sentiment,
though constantly affecting a cheerful friendliness in his manner to
her; after all, their union was but temporary. In Hanover Street he
was also silent regarding the Hewetts, for there his role was
that of a good, simple-minded fellow, incapable of intrigue, living
for the domestic affections. If Kirkwood chose to speak to Michael
or Jane of the matter, well, one way or another, that would advance
things a stage, and there was nothing for it but to watch the
progress.
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