A turn of mind composed of innocence and scepticism is common to them all, with the addition of an unexpected insight into motives, as of disinterested lookers-on at a game.

Mr.Powell took me aside to say, "I like the things he says." "You understand each other pretty well," I observed.
"I know his sort," said Powell, going to the window to look at his cutter still riding to the flood.

"He's the sort that's always chasing some notion or other round and round his head just for the fun of the thing." "Keeps them in good condition," I said.
"Lively enough I dare say," he admitted.
"Would you like better a man who let his notions lie curled up ?" "That I wouldn't," answered our new acquaintance.

Clearly he was not difficult to get on with.

"I like him, very well," he continued, "though it isn't easy to make him out.