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ble room, and I could let you have a cot.’
‘I don’t think that would do,’ said Philip.
‘I could give you another room next week. Brighton’s very
full just now, and people have to take what they can get.’
‘If it were only for a few days, Philip, I think we might be
able to manage,’ said Mildred.
‘I think two rooms would be more convenient. Can you
recommend any other place where they take boarders?’
‘I can, but I don’t suppose they’d have room any more
than I have.’
‘Perhaps you wouldn’t mind giving me the address.’
The house the stout woman suggested was in the next
street, and they walked towards it. Philip could walk quite
well, though he had to lean on a stick, and he was rather
weak. Mildred carried the baby. They went for a little in si-
lence, and then he saw she was crying. It annoyed him, and
he took no notice, but she forced his attention.
‘Lend me a hanky, will you? I can’t get at mine with baby,’
she said in a voice strangled with sobs, turning her head
away from him.
He gave her his handkerchief, but said nothing. She dried
her eyes, and as he did not speak, went on.
‘I might be poisonous.’
‘Please don’t make a scene in the street,’ he said.
‘It’ll look so funny insisting on separate rooms like that.
What’ll they think of us?’
‘If they knew the circumstances I imagine they’d think
us surprisingly moral,’ said Philip.
She gave him a sidelong glance.

0 Of Human Bondage