The bit of storm had done them both good; and Tom especially--the cynical, carping, grim old gentleman--was much improved by the nearer resemblance of his manner to Andrew's.
Behind this unaffected fraternal concord, however, the fact that they were pledged to a race in eccentricity, was present.

They had been rivals before; and anterior to the date of his marriage, Andrew had done odd eclipsing things.

But Andrew required prompting to it; he required to be put upon his mettle.

Whereas, it was more nature with Tom: nature and the absence of a wife, gave him advantages over Andrew.

Besides, he had his character to maintain.