But socially I'm practically an outcast.

They're polite to me, but they leave me outside.

The man who rose from the ranks--the fellow with a shady past--fought shy of by the women, just tolerated by the men, covertly despised by the youngsters--that's the sort of person I am.

It galled me once.

I'm used to it now." Merryon's grim voice went into grimmer silence.