Page 552 - of-human-bondage-

weight of her irked him this afternoon, and he did not want
her to touch him.
‘My foot’s gone to sleep,’ he said.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she cried, jumping up. ‘I shall have to bant
if I can’t break myself of this habit of sitting on gentlemen’s
knees.’
He went through an elaborate form of stamping his foot
and walking about. Then he stood in front of the fire so
that she should not resume her position. While she talked
he thought that she was worth ten of Mildred; she amused
him much more and was jollier to talk to; she was cleverer,
and she had a much nicer nature. She was a good, brave,
honest little woman; and Mildred, he thought bitterly, de-
served none of these epithets. If he had any sense he would
stick to Norah, she would make him much happier than he
would ever be with Mildred: after all she loved him, and
Mildred was only grateful for his help. But when all was
said the important thing was to love rather than to be loved;
and he yearned for Mildred with his whole soul. He would
sooner have ten minutes with her than a whole afternoon
with Norah, he prized one kiss of her cold lips more than all
Norah could give him.
‘I can’t help myself,’ he thought. ‘I’ve just got her in my
bones.’
He did not care if she was heartless, vicious and vulgar,
stupid and grasping, he loved her. He would rather have
misery with the one than happiness with the other.
When he got up to go Norah said casually:
‘Well, I shall see you tomorrow, shan’t I?’

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