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now had only six hundred pounds left. He was panic-strick-
en sometimes when he thought of the future. He had still to
keep himself for two years before he could be qualified, and
then he meant to try for hospital appointments, so that he
could not expect to earn anything for three years at least.
With the most rigid economy he would not have more than
a hundred pounds left then. It was very little to have as a
stand-by in case he was ill and could not earn money or
found himself at any time without work. A lucky gamble
would make all the difference to him.
‘Oh, well, it doesn’t matter,’ said Macalister. ‘Something
is sure to turn up soon. There’ll be a boom in South Afri-
cans again one of these days, and then I’ll see what I can do
for you.’
Macalister was in the Kaffir market and often told them
stories of the sudden fortunes that had been made in the
great boom of a year or two back.
‘Well, don’t forget next time.’
They sat on talking till nearly midnight, and Philip, who
lived furthest off, was the first to go. If he did not catch the
last tram he had to walk, and that made him very late. As it
was he did not reach home till nearly half past twelve. When
he got upstairs he was surprised to find Mildred still sitting
in his arm-chair.
‘Why on earth aren’t you in bed?’ he cried.
‘I wasn’t sleepy.’
‘You ought to go to bed all the same. It would rest you.’
She did not move. He noticed that since supper she had
changed into her black silk dress.