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be followed or spied upon.’
‘Have you seen Miller today?’
‘That’s no business of yours. In point of fact I haven’t, so
you’re wrong again.’
‘I saw him this afternoon. He’d just come out of the shop
when I went in.’
‘Well, what if he did? I can go out with him if I want to,
can’t I? I don’t know what you’ve got to say to it.’
‘He’s keeping you waiting, isn’t he?’
‘Well, I’d rather wait for him than have you wait for me.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it. And now p’raps you’ll go
off home and mind your own business in future.’
His mood changed suddenly from anger to despair, and
his voice trembled when he spoke.
‘I say, don’t be beastly with me, Mildred. You know I’m
awfully fond of you. I think I love you with all my heart.
Won’t you change your mind? I was looking forward to this
evening so awfully. You see, he hasn’t come, and he can’t
care twopence about you really. Won’t you dine with me?
I’ll get some more tickets, and we’ll go anywhere you like.’
‘I tell you I won’t. It’s no good you talking. I’ve made up
my mind, and when I make up my mind I keep to it.’
He looked at her for a moment. His heart was torn with
anguish. People were hurrying past them on the pavement,
and cabs and omnibuses rolled by noisily. He saw that
Mildred’s eyes were wandering. She was afraid of missing
Miller in the crowd.
‘I can’t go on like this,’ groaned Philip. ‘it’s too degrad-
ing. if I go now I go for good. Unless you’ll come with me

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