Page 588 - of-human-bondage-

‘He’s an unpunctual devil,’ said Philip. ‘He’s probably
making love to one of his numerous flames.’
But presently he appeared. He was a handsome crea-
ture, tall and thin; his head was placed well on the body,
it gave him a conquering air which was attractive; and his
curly hair, his bold, friendly blue eyes, his red mouth, were
charming. Philip saw Mildred look at him with apprecia-
tion, and he felt a curious satisfaction. Griffiths greeted
them with a smile.
‘I’ve heard a great deal about you,’ he said to Mildred, as
he took her hand.
‘Not so much as I’ve heard about you,’ she answered.
‘Nor so bad,’ said. Philip.
‘Has he been blackening my character?’
Griffiths laughed, and Philip saw that Mildred noticed
how white and regular his teeth were and how pleasant his
smile.
‘You ought to feel like old friends,’ said Philip. ‘I’ve talked
so much about you to one another.’
Griffiths was in the best possible humour, for, having at
length passed his final examination, he was qualified, and he
had just been appointed house-surgeon at a hospital in the
North of London. He was taking up his duties at the begin-
ning of May and meanwhile was going home for a holiday;
this was his last week in town, and he was determined to
get as much enjoyment into it as he could. He began to talk
the gay nonsense which Philip admired because he could
not copy it. There was nothing much in what he said, but
his vivacity gave it point. There flowed from him a force of