He had never soared Parliamentwards, had never speculated, had never invented, and never been great.

He had been the father of a very large family, all of whom were doing as well in the world, and some of them perhaps better, than their father.

Indeed, there were many who said that Mr.Burton would have been a richer man if he had not joined himself in partnership with Mr.Beilby.

Mr.Beilby had the reputation of swallowing more than his share wherever he went.
When the business part of the arrangement was finished Mr.Burton talked to his future pupil about lodgings, and went out with him into the town to look for rooms.

The old man found that Harry Clavering was rather nice in this respect, and in his own mind formed an idea that this new beginner might have been a more auspicious pupil, had he not already become a fellow of a college.