If he got the second, he'd growl because he had not got the first.

And if he should win the first prize of all, then he would growl because there was not a higher one possible.

Was ever such a hopeless fellow to have to deal with! I dare say you have heard the story of the Scotch elder who, on the question being raised what service he could render at the church meetings, replied briskly, "I can always object." Well, Growler's one strong point was his talent for objecting, and gallantly he used it.
He was one of those fellows who think a great deal more about the thorn of the rose than the flower, and who, feeing quite sure that nothing under the sun is perfect, set themselves to discover the imperfections in all things.
I remember once a lot of us had planned a most delightful picnic for a certain holiday.

We were to take two boats some miles up the river to a certain little island, where we proposed to land and erect a tent.

Each fellow was to bring some contribution to the picnic, which we were to partake of with grand ceremony under the willows.