The greatest respectability which his unassisted efforts could possibly achieve was to dine at a cheap eating-house, and spend his evenings, at a cigar divan.

He belonged to no club, and his circle of friends, except in the houri and navvy line, was very limited.

Who could expect that a young man from the Internal Navigation would sit for hours and hours alone in a dull London lodging, over his book and tea-cup?
Who should expect that any young man will do so?
And yet mothers, and aunts, and anxious friends, do expect it--very much in vain.
During Alaric's absence at Tavistock, Norman had taken Charley by the hand and been with him a good deal.

He had therefore spent an uncommonly respectable week, and the Norfolk Street houri would have been _au desespoir_, but that she had other Charleys to her bow.

When he found himself getting into a first-class carriage at the Waterloo-bridge station with his two comrades, he began to appreciate the comfort of decency, and almost wished that he also had been brought up among the stern morals and hard work of the Weights and Measures.
Nothing special occurred at Surbiton Cottage.