Page 274 - of-human-bondage-

Barnes his mind was made up; he would surrender his ar-
ticles, and go to Paris to study art; but so that no one should
think him unreasonable he determined to stay at the office
till his year was up. He was to have his holiday during the
last fortnight in August, and when he went away he would
tell Herbert Carter that he had no intention of returning.
But though Philip could force himself to go to the office ev-
ery day he could not even pretend to show any interest in
the work. His mind was occupied with the future. After the
middle of July there was nothing much to do and he escaped
a good deal by pretending he had to go to lectures for his
first examination. The time he got in this way he spent in
the National Gallery. He read books about Paris and books
about painting. He was steeped in Ruskin. He read many of
Vasari’s lives of the painters. He liked that story of Correggio,
and he fancied himself standing before some great master-
piece and crying: Anch’ io son’ pittore. His hesitation had
left him now, and he was convinced that he had in him the
makings of a great painter.
‘After all, I can only try,’ he said to himself. ‘The great
thing in life is to take risks.’
At last came the middle of August. Mr. Carter was spend-
ing the month in Scotland, and the managing clerk was in
charge of the office. Mr. Goodworthy had seemed pleasant-
ly disposed to Philip since their trip to Paris, and now that
Philip knew he was so soon to be free, he could look upon
the funny little man with tolerance.
‘You’re going for your holiday tomorrow, Carey?’ he said
to him in the evening.