In fact, I'm a domestic character." He seemed to forget that he had frequently accepted Doubleday's hospitality and joined in the festivities of the "usual lot." "I thought you lived at your uncle's ?" said I.
"Oh, no! My father's rectory is in Lambeth.

But we're just going to move into the City.

I don't enjoy the prospect, I can assure you! But I say, how are you and your friend Smith getting on now ?" He was always asking me about my friend Smith.
"The same as usual," said I.
"That's a pity! He really seems very unreasonable, considering he has so little to be proud of." "It's I that have got little to be proud of," replied I.
"Really, Batchelor, you are quite wrong there.

I think it's very generous the way you have always stuck to him--with certainly not much encouragement." "Well," said I, "I shall have another attempt to make it up with him." Hawkesbury mused a bit, and then said, smilingly, "Of course, it's a very fine thing of you; but do you know, Batchelor, I'm not sure that you are wise in appearing to be in such a hurry ?" "What do you mean ?" I said.
"I mean, I shall be as glad as any one to see you two friends again: but if you seem too eager about it, I fancy you would only be demeaning yourself, and giving him a fresh chance of repulsing you.

My advice as a friend is, wait a bit.