Yes, they're very fair lectures, very fair, in their way.
I don't know as I've cared quite so much for 'em lately as I did at first.

I've felt he was falling off a little.

I gave him a hint a few weeks ago; just told him in a quiet way as I thought he was going too far into things that weren't very interesting, but he didn't seem quite to see it.

It's always the way with young men of his kind; when you give them a bit of advice, it makes them obstinate.

Well, he'll see when he begins again after Christmas.