They were fast, slang men, who were fast and slang, and nothing else--men who imitated grooms in more than their dress, and who looked on the customary heroes of race-courses as the highest lords of the ascendant upon earth.

Among those at college young Scatcherd did shine as long as such lustre was permitted him.
Here, indeed, his father, who had striven only to encourage him at Eton, did strive somewhat to control him.

But that was not now easy.
If he limited his son's allowance, he only drove him to do his debauchery on credit.

There were plenty to lend money to the son of the great millionaire; and so, after eighteen months' trial of a university education, Sir Roger had no alternative but to withdraw his son from his _alma mater_.
What was he then to do with him?
Unluckily it was considered quite unnecessary to take any steps towards enabling him to earn his bread.

Now nothing on earth can be more difficult than bringing up well a young man who has not to earn his own bread, and who has no recognised station among other men similarly circumstanced.