Page 605 - of-human-bondage-

LXXVI

ext day, in the afternoon, Philip sat in his room and
Nwondered whether Mildred would come. He had slept
badly. He had spent the morning in the club of the Medi-
cal School, reading one newspaper after another. It was the
vacation and few students he knew were in London, but
he found one or two people to talk to, he played a game of
chess, and so wore out the tedious hours. After luncheon he
felt so tired, his head was aching so, that he went back to his
lodgings and lay down; he tried to read a novel. He had not
seen Griffiths. He was not in when Philip returned the night
before; he heard him come back, but he did not as usual
look into Philip’s room to see if he was asleep; and in the
morning Philip heard him go out early. It was clear that he
wanted to avoid him. Suddenly there was a light tap at his
door. Philip sprang to his feet and opened it. Mildred stood
on the threshold. She did not move.
‘Come in,’ said Philip.
He closed the door after her. She sat down. She hesitated
to begin.
‘Thank you for giving me that two shillings last night,’
she said.
‘Oh, that’s all right.’
She gave him a faint smile. It reminded Philip of the
timid, ingratiating look of a puppy that has been beaten for

0 Of Human Bondage