He had never cared for any other woman.
He had sat at his mother's little feet all his life, although he had at times his own masculine way, as in the matter of the deserting of his profession for trade.

He had remained firm, although his mother had said much against it.
"Frankly, I do not approve of it, dear," she said.

"I agree, but I do not approve.

I do not like it, that you should desert the trodden path of your forebears.

It is not so much that I am proud, but I am conservative.