"I don't think a full purse is the only or the chief qualification of a gentleman.

If labor is to be a disqualification, then I must resign all claims to be considered a gentleman, as I worked on a farm for two years before coming to school, and in that way earned the money to pay my expenses here." Fletcher turned up his nose, but did not reply.
Hooper was a good scholar and influential in the Society, but in Fletcher's eyes he was unworthy of consideration.
"Look here, Fletcher,--what makes you so confoundedly exclusive is your ideas ?" asked Henry Fairbanks.
"Because I respect myself," said Fletcher in rather a surly tone.
"Then you have one admirer," said Fairbanks.
"What do you mean by that ?" asked Fletcher, suspiciously.
"Nothing out of the way.

I believe in self-respect, but I don't see how it is going to be endangered by the admission of Oscar's friend to the Society." "Am I expected to associate on equal terms with a printer's devil ?" "I can't answer for you.

As for me, if he is a good fellow, I shall welcome him to our ranks.

Some of our most eminent men have been apprenticed to the trade of printer.