He did not himself care for the loose little talkings, half flat and half sharp, of men when they meet together in idleness.

He was not open enough in his nature for such popularity.

Some men were afraid of him, and some suspected him.
There were others who made up to him, seeking his intimacy, but these he usually snubbed, and always kept at a distance.

Though he had indulged in all the ordinary pleasures of young men, he had never been a jovial man.

In his conversations with men he always seemed to think that he should use his time towards serving some purpose of business.