He couldn't bring that man, unshaven and reeking of punch, to associate with his mother.

Even about Emily--he faltered when the pitiless guardian began to question him.
"Was she accomplished ?" He was obliged to own, no.

"Was she clever ?" Well, she had a very good average intellect: but he could not absolutely say she was clever.

"Come, let us see some of her letters." So Pen confessed that he had but those three of which we have made mention--and that they were but trivial invitations or answers.
"She is cautious enough," the Major said, drily.

"She is older than you, my poor boy;" and then he apologised with the utmost frankness and humility, and flung himself upon Pen's good feelings, begging the lad to excuse a fond old uncle, who had only his family's honour in view--for Arthur was ready to flame up in indignation whenever Miss Costigan's honesty was doubted, and swore that he would never have her name mentioned lightly, and never, never would part from her.
He repeated this to his uncle and his friends at home, and also, it must be confessed, to Miss Fotheringay and the amiable family, at Chatteris, with whom he still continued to spend some portion of his time.