I really believe this boy is going to amuse me." "A most remarkable youth," observed the clerk, "and draws sketches with astonishing ease." "Ah ?" "Don't you, young man ?" Verty turned round, and interrogated Mr.Roundjacket with a look.

He had evidently not heard the question.
"There, you are dreaming again, sir," said Mr.Rushton; "this will never do--come, write away.

The idleness of this world is revolting!" he growled, returning to his sanctum, and closing the door with a bang.
Roundjacket pointed after him with his ruler.
"An odd fish, young man," he said, shaking his head; "take care not to make him your model.

If you want a proper model to imitate, you need not go far.

Modesty, which is my weakness, prevents my saying more." And Mr.Roundjacket cleared his throat, and looked dignified.
"It was my purpose, before this interruption," he said, after a pause of some moments, "to read to you some portions of a work which will, probably, be spoken of extensively by the world." And Mr.Roundjacket paused.