Whatever he demanded of them, he himself did it easily.

He would say to boys, "You're going to be men," meaning something better than women.

There was a notion that Matey despised girls.

Consequently, never much esteemed, they were in disfavour.

The old game was mentioned only because of a tradition of an usher and governess leering sick eyes until they slunk away round a corner and married, and set up a school for themselves--an emasculate ending.
Comment on it came of a design to show that the whole game had been examined dismissed as uninteresting and profitless.
One of the boys alluded in Matey's presence to their general view upon the part played by womankind on the stage, confident of a backing; and he had it, in a way: their noble chief whisked the subject, as not worth a discussion; but he turned to a younger chap, who said he detested girls, and asked him how about a sister at home; and the youngster coloured, and Matey took him and spun him round, with a friendly tap on the shoulder.
Odd remarks at intervals caused it to be suspected that he had ideas concerning girls.