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couldn’t sleep a wink.’
This was not quite accurate, for he had been kept awake
by his own thoughts; and Philip, listening sullenly, reflect-
ed that he had only made a noise once, and there was no
reason why his uncle should not have slept before or after.
When Mrs. Carey asked for an explanation the Vicar nar-
rated the facts.
‘He hasn’t even said he was sorry,’ he finished.
‘Oh, Philip, I’m sure you’re sorry,’ said Mrs. Carey, anx-
ious that the child should not seem wickeder to his uncle
than need be.
Philip did not reply. He went on munching his bread and
butter. He did not know what power it was in him that pre-
vented him from making any expression of regret. He felt
his ears tingling, he was a little inclined to cry, but no word
would issue from his lips.
‘You needn’t make it worse by sulking,’ said Mr. Carey.
Tea was finished in silence. Mrs. Carey looked at Philip
surreptitiously now and then, but the Vicar elaborately ig-
nored him. When Philip saw his uncle go upstairs to get
ready for church he went into the hall and got his hat and
coat, but when the Vicar came downstairs and saw him, he
said:
‘I don’t wish you to go to church tonight, Philip. I don’t
think you’re in a proper frame of mind to enter the House
of God.’
Philip did not say a word. He felt it was a deep humili-
ation that was placed upon him, and his cheeks reddened.
He stood silently watching his uncle put on his broad hat

Of Human Bondage