"Well, sir, Mr.Roderick's powers are nothing to me," he said, "nor no use he makes of them.

Good or bad, he 's no son of mine.

But, in a friendly way, I 'm glad to hear so fine an account of him.

I 'm glad, madam, you 're so satisfied with the prospect.
Affection, sir, you see, must have its guarantees!" He paused a moment, stroking his beard, with his head inclined and one eye half-closed, looking at Rowland.

The look was grotesque, but it was significant, and it puzzled Rowland more than it amused him.