"Nature built me to be a farmer," he used to say.

"But my poor foolish old mother was a lady by birth, and she insisted on her son being a professional man.

I hadn't brains for the Law, or money for the Army, or morals for the Church.

And here I am a country doctor--the one representative of slavery left in the nineteenth century.

You may not believe me, but I never see a labourer at the plough that I don't envy him." This was the husband of the elegant lady with the elaborate manners.
This was the man who received Mountjoy with a "Glad to see you, sir," and a shake of the hand that hurt him.
"Coarse fare," said Mr.Vimpany, carving a big joint of beef; "but I can't afford anything better.