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a generous thing, he had expected that Monsieur Ducroz
would overwhelm him with expressions of gratitude. He
was taken aback to find that the old teacher accepted the
present as though it were his due. He was so young, he
did not realise how much less is the sense of obligation in
those who receive favours than in those who grant them.
Monsieur Ducroz appeared again five or six days later. He
tottered a little more and was very weak, but seemed to
have overcome the severity of the attack. He was no more
communicative than he had been before. He remained
mysterious, aloof, and dirty. He made no reference to his
illness till after the lesson: and then, just as he was leaving,
at the door, which he held open, he paused. He hesitated, as
though to speak were difficult.
‘If it hadn’t been for the money you gave me I should have
starved. It was all I had to live on.’
He made his solemn, obsequious bow, and went out.
Philip felt a little lump in his throat. He seemed to realise in
a fashion the hopeless bitterness of the old man’s struggle,
and how hard life was for him when to himself it was so
pleasant.

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