"Look at that, Hal! Is that common kindness ?" and he showed his junior the unlucky paper over which he had been brooding for some time.

It was but a fragment, though the meaning was indeed clear without the preceding text.
The paper commenced: "...

is older than myself, but I, again, am older than my years; and you know, dear brother, have ever been considered a sober person.

All children are better for a father's superintendence, and her two, I trust, will find in me a tender friend and guardian." "Friend and guardian! Curse him!" shrieked out George, clenching his fists--and his brother read on: "...

The flattering offer which General Braddock hath made me, will, of course, oblige me to postpone this matter until after the campaign.