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‘Some of us go to Gravier’s for lunch,’ she said to Philip,
with a look at Clutton. ‘I always go home myself.’
‘I’ll take you to Gravier’s if you like,’ said Clutton.
Philip thanked him and made ready to go. On his way
out Mrs. Otter asked him how he had been getting on.
‘Did Fanny Price help you?’ she asked. ‘I put you there
because I know she can do it if she likes. She’s a disagree-
able, ill-natured girl, and she can’t draw herself at all, but
she knows the ropes, and she can be useful to a newcomer if
she cares to take the trouble.’
On the way down the street Clutton said to him:
‘You’ve made an impression on Fanny Price. You’d bet-
ter look out.’
Philip laughed. He had never seen anyone on whom he
wished less to make an impression. They came to the cheap
little restaurant at which several of the students ate, and
Clutton sat down at a table at which three or four men were
already seated. For a franc, they got an egg, a plate of meat,
cheese, and a small bottle of wine. Coffee was extra. They
sat on the pavement, and yellow trams passed up and down
the boulevard with a ceaseless ringing of bells.
‘By the way, what’s your name?’ said Clutton, as they took
their seats.
‘Carey.’
‘Allow me to introduce an old and trusted friend, Carey
by name,’ said Clutton gravely. ‘Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Lawson.’
They laughed and went on with their conversation. They
talked of a thousand things, and they all talked at once. No
one paid the smallest attention to anyone else. They talked

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