Men who could serve their country well, who could adapt themselves to work, who were practical, easy in harness, able to drive and patient to be driven, were not, unfortunately, as plentiful as blackberries.

He began to perceive that a really useful man could not be found miscellaneously under every hat in Pall Mall.

He knew his own value, and did not fear but that he should find a price for it in some of the world's markets.

He would not, therefore, allow himself to be deterred from further progress by any fear that in doing so he risked the security of his daily bread; no, not though the risk extended to his wife; she had taken him for better or worse; if the better came she should share it; if the worse, why let her share that also, with such consolation as his affection might be able to offer.
There was something noble in this courage, in this lack of prudence.

It may be a question whether men, in marrying, do not become too prudent.