All we ask of these gentlemanlike birds is, that they mistake not their talent--affect not music; or if they do, that they treat not us to their queer warblings.
Irons, with that never-failing phantom of a smile on his thin lips, stood a little apart, with a gaff and landing-net, and a second rod, and a little bag of worms, and his other gear, silent, except when spoken to, or sometimes to suggest a change of bait, or fly, or a cast over a particular spot; for Dangerfield was of good Colonel Venables' mind, that 'tis well in the lover of the gentle craft to associate himself with some honest, expert angler, who will freely and candidly communicate his skill unto him.' Dangerfield was looking straight at his float; but thinking of something else.

Whenever Sturk met him at dinner, or the club, the doctor's arrogance and loud lungs failed him, and he fell for a while into a sort of gloom and dreaming; and when he came slowly to himself, he could not talk to anyone but the man with the spectacles; and in the midst of his talk he would grow wandering and thoughtful, as if over some half-remembered dream; and when he took his leave of Dangerfield it was with a lingering look and a stern withdrawal, as if he had still a last word to say, and he went away in a dismal reverie.

It was natural, that with his views about the agency, Sturk should regard him with particular interest.

But there was something more here, and it did not escape Dangerfield, as, indeed, very little that in anywise concerned him ever did.
'Clever fellow, Doctor Sturk,' said the silver spectacles, looking grimly at the float.

'I like him.