"How did I come to be with him?" This was the question which passed through the boy's mind. "He ain't my father, for he's told me so. Is he my uncle, I wonder?"

 

Sometimes, but not often, this question had suggested itself to Julius; but in general he had not troubled himself much about ancestry³. A good dinner was of far more importance to him than to know who his father or grandfather had been. He did not pretend to have a warm affection for the man between whom and himself existed the only tie that bound him to any fellow-creature. They had got used to each other, as Jack expressed it, and that served to keep them together when the law did not interfere⁴ to keep them apart. In general Julius had obeyed such orders as Jack gave him, but now, for the first time, a question of doubt arose in his mind. He was called upon to do something which would injure Paul, whose kindness had produced a strong impression upon him. Should he do it? This led him to consider how far he was bound to obey Jack Morgan. He could not see that he had anything to be grateful for. If Jack was flush he received some slight advantage. On the other hand, he was expected to give most of his earnings⁵ to his guardian⁶ when they were living together. While he was thinking the man opened his eyes.

 

"Awake, eh?" he asked.

 

"Yes," said Julius.

 

"What time is it?"

 

"The clock has gone seven."

 

"I can tell that by my stomach. I've got a healthy appetite this morning. Have you got any money?"

 

"Not a penny, Jack."

 

"That's bad. Just feel in the pocket of my breeches; there they are on the floor. See if you can find anything."

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