[Arras theme] show post date in Per Line view

The ‘Per Line’ option for posts in the Arras theme shows the post title and number of comments by default.

I’ve added an excerpt and want to add the post date as well, but nothing seems to work.

from templates.php:

<h3 class="entry-title"><a rel="bookmark" href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" title="<?php printf( __('Permalink to %s', 'arras'), get_the_title() ) ?>"><?php the_title() ?></a></h3><br /><br />
		<div class="entry-summary"><?php echo arras_strip_content(get_the_excerpt(), 40); ?> <a rel="bookmark" href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" title="<?php printf( __('Permalink to %s', 'arras'), get_the_title() ) ?>">read more</a></div>
		<span class="entry-comments"><?php the_date() ?> - <?php comments_number() ?></span>

Where I’ve added <?php the_date() ?> should be where the date is, but it only shows up on some posts.

Is this the right code for the post date?

Thanks for any help