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CXV

hilip spent the few weeks that remained before the
Pbeginning of the winter session in the out-patients’ de-
partment, and in October settled down to regular work. He
had been away from the hospital for so long that he found
himself very largely among new people; the men of different
years had little to do with one another, and his contempo-
raries were now mostly qualified: some had left to take up
assistantships or posts in country hospitals and infirmaries,
and some held appointments at St. Luke’s. The two years
during which his mind had lain fallow had refreshed him,
he fancied, and he was able now to work with energy.
The Athelnys were delighted with his change of fortune.
He had kept aside a few things from the sale of his uncle’s ef-
fects and gave them all presents. He gave Sally a gold chain
that had belonged to his aunt. She was now grown up. She
was apprenticed to a dressmaker and set out every morning
at eight to work all day in a shop in Regent Street. Sally had
frank blue eyes, a broad brow, and plentiful shining hair;
she was buxom, with broad hips and full breasts; and her
father, who was fond of discussing her appearance, warned
her constantly that she must not grow fat. She attracted be-
cause she was healthy, animal, and feminine. She had many
admirers, but they left her unmoved; she gave one the im-
pression that she looked upon love-making as nonsense;

Of Human Bondage