The half-dozen acquaintances I had were not the kind of men to profit me.

Glazzard--well, Glazzard is an odd sort of fellow--helpful now and then, but on the whole musty.

He has no ambition, thinks it enough to doze on among his pictures, and that kind of thing.

The fact is, such companionship has made me conceited.

I want to get among my equals and my superiors--as I shall do if I become a Member of Parliament." "Your equals--perhaps." "Confound it! _Your_ influence has tended the same way.