"The only question is whether the English winter isn't good for Tinker.

It's hardening, you know." "Always Tinker," said Lord Crosland with a smile.

"I tell you what, Nature ought to have made you a woman: what a splendid mother you'd have made!" "I think she'd have found she'd made a pretty bad mistake," said Sir Tancred.
"Besides," said Lord Crosland, "the Admirable is as hard as a tenpenny nail as it is.

I've never seen the little beggar tired yet; and I've seen him at the end of some hardish days." "Well, we'll see," said Sir Tancred.

"We're partners." And the game went on.
Next morning he asked Tinker if he would like to go to the south of France, or stay and be hardened.