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companions. When he tried to interest himself in their con-
cerns, he felt that they found him patronising. He was not
of those who can talk of what moves them without caring
whether it bores or not the people they talk to. One man,
hearing that he had studied art in Paris, and fancying him-
self on his taste, tried to discuss art with him; but Philip
was impatient of views which did not agree with his own;
and, finding quickly that the other’s ideas were convention-
al, grew monosyllabic. Philip desired popularity but could
bring himself to make no advances to others. A fear of re-
buff prevented him from affability, and he concealed his
shyness, which was still intense, under a frigid taciturnity.
He was going through the same experience as he had done
at school, but here the freedom of the medical students’ life
made it possible for him to live a good deal by himself.
It was through no effort of his that he became friendly
with Dunsford, the fresh-complexioned, heavy lad whose
acquaintance he had made at the beginning of the session.
Dunsford attached himself to Philip merely because he
was the first person he had known at St. Luke’s. He had no
friends in London, and on Saturday nights he and Philip got
into the habit of going together to the pit of a music-hall or
the gallery of a theatre. He was stupid, but he was good-hu-
moured and never took offence; he always said the obvious
thing, but when Philip laughed at him merely smiled. He
had a very sweet smile. Though Philip made him his butt,
he liked him; he was amused by his candour and delighted
with his agreeable nature: Dunsford had the charm which
himself was acutely conscious of not possessing.