 to pass the days. It wouldn't be bad for Louis to be living with you instead
of in lodgings. Do just think of it. It's ages since you heard a concert, or saw
a picture.«
    Sidwell mused, and her brother watched her askance.
    »I don't know whether the others would care for it,« she said, »but I am not
tempted by a winter of fog.«
    »Fog? Pooh! Well, there is an occasional fog, just now and then, but it's
much exaggerated. Who ever thinks of the weather in England? Fanny might have a
time at Bedford College or some such place - she learns nothing here. Think it
over. Father would be delighted to get among the societies, and so on.«
    He repeated his arguments in many forms, and Sidwell listened patiently,
until they were joined by Mr. Warricombe, whereupon the subject dropped; to be
resumed, however, in correspondence, with a persistency which Buckland seldom
exhibited in anything which affected the interests of his relatives. As the
summer drew on, Mrs. Warricombe began to lend serious ear to this suggestion of
change, and Martin was at all events moved to discuss the pros and cons of half
a year in London. Sidwell preserved neutrality, seldom making an allusion to the
project; but Fanny supported her brother's proposal with sprightly zeal,
declaring on one occasion that she began distinctly to feel the need of a higher
culture, such as London only could supply.
    In the meantime there had been occasional interchange of visits between the
family and their friends at Budleigh Salterton. One evening, when Mrs. Moorhouse
and Sylvia were at the Warricombes', three or four Exeter people came to dine,
and among the guests was Godwin Peak - his invitation being due in this instance
to Sylvia's express wish to meet him again.
    »I am studying men,« she had said to Sidwell not long before, when the
latter was at the seaside with her. »In our day this is the proper study of
womankind. Hitherto we have given serious attention only to one another. Mr.
Peak remains in my memory as a type worth observing; let me have a chance of
talking to him when I come next.«
    She did not neglect her opportunity, and Mrs. Moorhouse, who also conversed
with the theologian and found him interesting, was so good as to hope that he
would call upon her if ever his steps turned towards Budleigh Salterton.
    After breakfast next morning, Sidwell found her friend sitting with
