Well, now, said Uncle Albert, "this is turning out to be quite a day. What have you to say for yourself, young fellow?" he said, looking over at Jack.
"Come on over, Jack," I said. "I'm sorry we have left you out so far, but we had to get that business with Cheap done first. "
Jack had recovered something of his original jauntiness.
"What cheer, Peregrine! And you too, governor," he said, removing his cap.
"Never in my life did I see a villain like that get served so well, but what are you going to do with Uriah Heep?"
"He has been convicted in a court of law to a period of imprisonment, and we will hand him over to the authorities to serve his sentence," said Ernest from behind his desk.
"I dare say he will find prison on Earth Minor a little more comfortable than in Victorian London."
"An' what about me, sir?" Jack asked.
"I daresay we could find you employment in the workshops and lodgings, too. Peregrine told us how helpful you have been. That is, of course, unless you wish to return to your own world and time."
"No fear, governor," said Jack, like I told Peregrine, Sorry, Mr Peregrine, sir, there is nothing for me back there, save prison."
"Don't worry, Jack," I said, "we won't send you back there against your will."
"Are you one of the bosses here, Mr Peregrine?"
"No, Jack, not at all," I said, embarrassed. "I have no position here at all. Mr Ernest and Mr Albert own this business. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.
"I apologise," I said to the Menschen brothers, "no offence intended."
"And none taken," said Ernest with a smile.
I believe Albert has already mentioned it, but the maturity you have gained in such a short time is quite remarkable. It's no wonder that Jack mistook you for someone in authority. Not that I want to take away your youth, Peregrine! You should continue with your plans to become a student and enjoy all the fun and excitement someone your age deserves. By maturity, I mean a mature character and a broader outlook on social and moral issues. Something that will serve you well in the future."
"Thanks, Mr Ernest. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity, and you, too, Mr Albert."
"Good. Now, Jack, I have something I wish to discuss with Peregrine in private," said Mr Ernest." Please make your way to the kitchen and inform the cook that I would like her to prepare something good for you to eat. I am sure she will oblige. Off you go now, and I will speak to you later."
"Thanks, governor," said Jack, and he made a quick exit.
"Take a seat, Peregrine. Now, without further ado, I would like you to tell me frankly if you hold any romantic feelings towards Miss Agnes."
"Agnes?" I said, amazed, "Of course not."
"That's what it looked like to all of us in the room, old boy," said Albert.
"We saw Agnes and you exchange what I believe is known in romantic fiction as a 'deep and meaningful look,' each of you absorbed in the other."
"Absorbed in thought, yes, I replied, "but not about each other. Agnes told me she was thinking of David Copperfield, and I was thinking about how I could arrange a reconciliation between David and Agnes. They left the world of fiction together, but she has not seen him since."
"Bravo, Peregrine," said Albert. "I knew there must be another explanation. Montana looked upset, though."
"I haven't had a chance to speak to her alone yet. Aunty says that Montana is sleeping. I will speak to her when she wakes up. The idea that I care for somebody else other than her is quite absurd; the scene with Cheap must have worn her out, and she is not thinking straight. It's strange about Copperfield, though. I wonder where he could be."
There was a knock on the door, and Jack sailed in.
"The kitchen is all locked up. There is a note on the door saying the cook has gone shopping, so I thought I better to come back.
Jack hesitated for a moment, then said, "I couldn't help overhearing you say 'Copperfield,' Mr Peregrine. That wouldn't be David Copperfield by any chance, would it?"
I was intrigued.
"Yes, it would, Jack. What do you know of him?"
"I don't know if it's the right cove, but one of my friends said there was a gentleman of that name looking for me. He heard that people had seen me with a strange-looking sort of character who spoke funny—sorry, Mr Peregrine—not from around here, and it looked as if we were on business together.
"You can't cross the road around here without somebody sticking their nose in," said Jack indignantly.
"Anyways, he told my mate that if he saw me, he was to say David Copperfield wanted to see me, and there was something in it for me if I contacted him at the Sheep's Head. That's a pub that does rooms down Lambton Market Way."
"When was this?"
"Just before I joined up with you and Miss Agnes on the way to the bridge to meet your mate with the magic door, I was going to go down the Sheep's Head later, but finished up here instead."
This was an opportunity to be of service to Agnes and prove to Montana that there was nothing between Agnes and me other than friendship, but I couldn't do it alone.
"Jack," I said, "I know this is asking a lot, but would you come back with me to the 'Sheep's Head,' to contact David Copperfield, and bring him back here?"
Jack shook his head, but he was embarrassed to refuse me.
"It's the police, you see, Mr Peregrine. "They know me by sight, and if I get caught, it's the nick for me, and there's no saying I'll get out in one piece, like what I told you before," he said, looking at the floor.
"I understand, Jack; I shouldn't have asked, and you don't need to keep calling me 'Mr.' I'll go myself, just give me directions from the place where we stood on the bridge,
"Why do you need to go back anyway, Peregrine? We've landed on our feet here, and the Copperfield geezer can look after himself." Jack said.
"It's a favour for Agnes," I said.
"I thought there would be a woman in it somewhere," Jack said scornfully.
"She's a good woman, Jack. Now, give me the directions, and I will ask nothing more of you."
"Directions? You would never find it in a month of Sundays and get your throat cut in the bargain. Nah, Peregrine. I'd better come with you."