For his boy he reserved a store of manly affection, seldom expressing itself save in bluff fashion; his sister he patronised with much kindness, though he despised her judgment.

One had now and then a feeling that his material circumstances aided greatly in making him the genial man he was, that with beef and claret of inferior quality he might not have been altogether so easy to get along with.

But that again was an illustration of the English character.
We find the family assembling for breakfast at The Firs one delightful morning at the end of July.

The windows of the room were thrown open, and there streamed in with the sunlight fresh and delicious odours, tonics alike of mind and body.

From the Scotch firs whence the dwelling took its name came a scent which mingled with wafted breath from the remoter heather, and the creepers about the house-front, the lovely bloom and leafage skirting the lawn, contributed to the atmosphere of health and joy.