One report said that he had a dreaminess of eye that was not characteristic of this strong, pragmatic family; another declared him to be "tall, rather handsome, black-bearded, and with the quiet sense of humor that belongs to the temperament of a modest man." One reporter had noticed that his Southern-cut clothes did not fit him.
"He might have said something nicer than that," Ellen remarked, with a natural protest against this undue familiarity.
"I don't know why we should be spoken of as a pragmatic family," said Mrs.Witherspoon.

"Of course your father has always been in business, but I don't see"-- Witherspoon began to grunt.

"It's all right," said he.

"It's all right." He had to say something.

"Come, I must get down town." "Shall I go with you ?" Henry asked.
For a moment Witherspoon was silent.