Page 537 - of-human-bondage-

boys who were tall and straight and high of spirits. By the
time he was well they were fast friends, and it was a peculiar
satisfaction to Philip that Griffiths seemed to enjoy sitting
in his little parlour, wasting Philip’s time with his amusing
chatter and smoking innumerable cigarettes. Philip took
him sometimes to the tavern off Regent Street. Hayward
found him stupid, but Lawson recognised his charm and
was eager to paint him; he was a picturesque figure with his
blue eyes, white skin, and curly hair. Often they discussed
things he knew nothing about, and then he sat quietly, with
a good-natured smile on his handsome face, feeling quite
rightly that his presence was sufficient contribution to the
entertainment of the company. When he discovered that
Macalister was a stockbroker he was eager for tips; and Ma-
calister, with his grave smile, told him what fortunes he
could have made if he had bought certain stock at certain
times. It made Philip’s mouth water, for in one way and an-
other he was spending more than he had expected, and it
would have suited him very well to make a little money by
the easy method Macalister suggested.
‘Next time I hear of a really good thing I’ll let you know,’
said the stockbroker. ‘They do come along sometimes. It’s
only a matter of biding one’s time.’
Philip could not help thinking how delightful it would
be to make fifty pounds, so that he could give Norah the
furs she so badly needed for the winter. He looked at the
shops in Regent Street and picked out the articles he could
buy for the money. She deserved everything. She made his
life very happy

Of Human Bondage