But the indigent labourer not uncommonly retrieved his position by asking a shilling of one of the young gentlemen at the vicarage, who were generally open-handed, good-looking boys, blessed with a great deal more money than brains.
At the time when this tale opens, however, it chanced that one of the two young gentlemen at the vicarage was by no means in the position peculiar to the majority of youths who sought the good offices of the Reverend Augustin Ambrose.

John Short, aged eighteen, was in all respects a remarkable contrast to his companion the Honourable Cornelius Angleside.
John Short was apparently very poor; the Honourable Cornelius on the other hand had plenty of money.

Short was undeniably clever; Angleside was uncommonly dull.

Short was the son of a decayed literary man; Angleside was the son of a nobleman.

Short was by nature a hard worker; Angleside was amazingly idle.