Thomas was deeply observant and quickly adaptive.

Between the man who goes to school _with_ books and the man who goes to school _in_ books there is wide difference.

What we are forced to learn seldom lifts us above the ordinary; what we learn by inclination plows our fields and reaps our harvests.

It is as natural as breathing that we should like our tonics, mental as well as physical, sugar-coated.
Thomas had never worn a dress-suit; but in the matter of collars and cravats and shirts he knew the last word.

But why should he wish to wear that mournfully conventional suit in which we are supposed to enjoy ourselves?
She had told him not to bother about dress.