There was none of the fire of youth, none of the swiftness of the soldier, in this young officer.

His kindness was cold, and cruel cold; his deliberation exasperating.

And perhaps it was from this character, which is very much the opposite of my own, that even in these days, when he was of service to me, I approached him with suspicion and reserve.
I looked over his exercise in the usual form, and marked six faults.
'H'm.

Six,' says he, looking at the paper.

'Very annoying! I can never get it right.' 'Oh, but you make excellent progress!' I said.