"Tomorrow," she answered indifferently.
"You'd better talk it over with him."
She opened her bag mechanically and saw a piece of paper in it. She took it out.
"Here's the bill for this dress," she said hesitatingly.
"What of it?"
"I promised I'd give her the money tomorrow."
"Did you?"
"Does that mean you won't pay for it after having told me I could get it?"
"It does."
"I'll ask Harry," she said, flushing quickly.
"He'll be glad to help you.
He owes me seven pounds at the moment, and he pawned his microscope last week, because he was so broke."
"You needn't think you can frighten me by that.
I'm quite capable of earning my own living."
"It's the best thing you can do.
I don't propose to give you a farthing more."
She thought of her rent due on Saturday and the baby's keep, but did not say anything.
They left the restaurant, and in the street Philip asked her:
"Shall I call a cab for you?
I'm going to take a little stroll."
"I haven't got any money.
I had to pay a bill this afternoon."
"It won't hurt you to walk.
If you want to see me tomorrow I shall be in about tea-time."
He took off his hat and sauntered away.
He looked round in a moment and saw that she was standing helplessly where he had left her, looking at the traffic.
He went back and with a laugh pressed a coin into her hand.
"Here's two bob for you to get home with."
Before she could speak he hurried away.
LXXVI
Next day, in the afternoon, Philip sat in his room and wondered whether Mildred would come.
He had slept badly.
He had spent the morning in the club of the Medical School, reading one newspaper after another.
It was the vacation and few students he knew were in London, but he found one or two people to talk to, he played a game of chess, and so wore out the tedious hours.
After luncheon he felt so tired, his head was aching so, that he went back to his lodgings and lay down; he tried to read a novel.
He had not seen Griffiths.
He was not in when Philip returned the night before; he heard him come back, but he did not as usual look into Philip's room to see if he was asleep; and in the morning Philip heard him go out early.
It was clear that he wanted to avoid him.
Suddenly there was a light tap at his door.
Philip sprang to his feet and opened it.
Mildred stood on the threshold.
She did not move.
"Come in," said Philip.
He closed the door after her.
She sat down. She hesitated to begin.
"Thank you for giving me that two shillings last night," she said.
"Oh, that's all right."
She gave him a faint smile.
It reminded Philip of the timid, ingratiating look of a puppy that has been beaten for naughtiness and wants to reconcile himself with his master.
"I've been lunching with Harry," she said.