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gave Philip threepence for the same purpose. The church
filled up gradually and the service began.
Philip grew bored during the sermon, but if he fidgetted
Mrs. Carey put a gentle hand on his arm and looked at him
reproachfully. He regained interest when the final hymn
was sung and Mr.Graves passed round with the plate.
When everyone had gone Mrs. Carey went into Miss
Graves’ pew to have a few words with her while they were
waiting for the gentlemen, and Philip went to the vestry. His
uncle, the curate, and Mr. Graves were still in their surplic-
es. Mr. Carey gave him the remains of the consecrated bread
and told him he might eat it. He had been accustomed to eat
it himself, as it seemed blasphemous to throw it away, but
Philip’s keen appetite relieved him from the duty. Then they
counted the money. It consisted of pennies, sixpences and
threepenny bits. There were always two single shillings, one
put in the plate by the Vicar and the other by Mr. Graves;
and sometimes there was a florin. Mr. Graves told the Vicar
who had given this. It was always a stranger to Blackstable,
and Mr. Carey wondered who he was. But Miss Graves had
observed the rash act and was able to tell Mrs. Carey that the
stranger came from London, was married and had children.
During the drive home Mrs. Carey passed the information
on, and the Vicar made up his mind to call on him and
ask for a subscription to the Additional Curates Society. Mr.
Carey asked if Philip had behaved properly; and Mrs. Carey
remarked that Mrs. Wigram had a new mantle, Mr. Cox
was not in church, and somebody thought that Miss Phil-
lips was engaged. When they reached the vicarage they all

Of Human Bondage