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worries over with somebody, but he could not bring him-
self to confess them. He was ashamed. He went on looking
for work. He left his rent unpaid for three weeks, explain-
ing to his landlady that he would get money at the end of
the month; she did not say anything, but pursed her lips
and looked grim. When the end of the month came and she
asked if it would be convenient for him to pay something on
account, it made him feel very sick to say that he could not;
he told her he would write to his uncle and was sure to be
able to settle his bill on the following Saturday.
‘Well, I ‘ope you will, Mr. Carey, because I ‘ave my rent
to pay, and I can’t afford to let accounts run on.’ She did not
speak with anger, but with determination that was rather
frightening. She paused for a moment and then said: ‘If you
don’t pay next Saturday, I shall ‘ave to complain to the sec-
retary of the ‘ospital.’
‘Oh yes, that’ll be all right.’
She looked at him for a little and glanced round the bare
room. When she spoke it was without any emphasis, as
though it were quite a natural thing to say.
‘I’ve got a nice ‘ot joint downstairs, and if you like to come
down to the kitchen you’re welcome to a bit of dinner.’
Philip felt himself redden to the soles of his feet, and a
sob caught at his throat.
‘Thank you very much, Mrs. Higgins, but I’m not at all
hungry.’
‘Very good, sir.’
When she left the room Philip threw himself on his bed.
He had to clench his fists in order to prevent himself from

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