Despise him, if you like, but try to understand him.

It was his very humaneness which brought him to this pass; recitals of old savagery had poisoned his blood, and the 'spirit of the age' churned his crude acquisitions into a witch's cauldron.

Academic sweetness and light was a feeble antidote to offer him.
Gilbert soothed his companion for the time.

He knew where to stop, and promised himself to find a fitter season for pursuing the same subject.
Just as he had reverted to the topic of conversation which brought him here, there came a knock at the door.
'Come in!' growled Bunce.
Totty Nancarrow appeared.

One of her hands led a little fellow of seven, a bright lad, munching a 'treacle-stick;' the other, a little girl a year younger, who exclaimed as she entered: 'Been a walk with Miss Nanco!' 'We've been to the butcher's with Miss Nancarrow, father,' declared the boy, consciously improving on his sister's report.
Totty had drawn back a step at the sight of Grail.