Page 414 - of-human-bondage-

‘Irresolution, incompetence, want of foresight, and lack of
determination.’
The Vicar looked up at his nephew quickly to see whether
he was laughing at him. Philip’s face was serious, but there
was a twinkle in his eyes which irritated him. Philip should
really be getting more serious. He felt it right to give him a
rap over the knuckles.
‘Your money matters have nothing to do with me now.
You’re your own master; but I think you should remember
that your money won’t last for ever, and the unlucky defor-
mity you have doesn’t exactly make it easier for you to earn
your living.’
Philip knew by now that whenever anyone was angry
with him his first thought was to say something about his
club-foot. His estimate of the human race was determined
by the fact that scarcely anyone failed to resist the tempta-
tion. But he had trained himself not to show any sign that
the reminder wounded him. He had even acquired control
over the blushing which in his boyhood had been one of his
torments.
‘As you justly remark,’ he answered, ‘my money matters
have nothing to do with you and I am my own master.’
‘At all events you will do me the justice to acknowledge
that I was justified in my opposition when you made up your
mind to become an art-student.’
‘I don’t know so much about that. I daresay one profits
more by the mistakes one makes off one’s own bat than by
doing the right thing on somebody’s else advice. I’ve had my
fling, and I don’t mind settling down now.’

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