Page 792 - of-human-bondage-

and along the street into the main road to catch his tram.
While his eyes sought out the newspaper shops to see the
war news on the placards, he thought of the scene of the
night before: now that it was over and he had slept on it, he
could not help thinking it grotesque; he supposed he had
been ridiculous, but he was not master of his feelings; at
the time they had been overwhelming. He was angry with
Mildred because she had forced him into that absurd po-
sition, and then with renewed astonishment he thought of
her outburst and the filthy language she had used. He could
not help flushing when he remembered her final jibe; but
he shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. He had long
known that when his fellows were angry with him they nev-
er failed to taunt him with his deformity. He had seen men
at the hospital imitate his walk, not before him as they used
at school, but when they thought he was not looking. He
knew now that they did it from no wilful unkindness, but
because man is naturally an imitative animal, and because
it was an easy way to make people laugh: he knew it, but he
could never resign himself to it.
He was glad to throw himself into his work. The ward
seemed pleasant and friendly when he entered it. The sister
greeted him with a quick, business-like smile.
‘You’re very late, Mr. Carey.’
‘I was out on the loose last night.’
‘You look it.’
‘Thank you.’
Laughing, he went to the first of his cases, a boy with tu-
berculous ulcers, and removed his bandages. The boy was

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