How he often recalled Stonebridge House with all its hardships, and wished himself back there instead of in this unsatisfactory world of London.
"If I could only grind like Smith," said he, "it wouldn't be so bad; but what's the use of my grinding?
In fact, what's the use of my being up here at all, when I only get into rows, and spend one half of my time going to the dogs and the other in pulling up ?" "Well," said I, "that's better than me, who spend all my time in going to the dogs." "Oh, but you had Smith to keep you steady," said he.

"You couldn't go far wrong with him.

I've got no one of that sort.

I really wish my father would put me to farming.

A fellow couldn't go to the dogs, you know, all among the cows, and pigs, and horses--that is," added he, laughing, "not the sort of dogs I mean." There was a great deal in Flanagan's troubles with which I could sympathise.