Thus, though the urchin gave himself airs and invested himself with affectations, which rendered him intolerable to all of his own social status, except the placid Mrs.
Seddon and the adoring Jane, he was under the continuous influence of a high ambition.

It made him ridiculous, but it preserved him from vicious and vulgar things.

If you are conscious of being a prince in disguise qualifying for butterfly entrance into your kingdom, it behoves you to behave in a princely manner, not to consort with lewd fellows and not to neglect opportunities for education.

You owe to yourself all the good that you can extract from the world.

Acting from this point of view, and guided by the practical advice of young Rowlatt, he attended evening classes, where he gulped down knowledge hungrily.