The boy had inherited a good share of his father's stubborn temper and indomitable will; the two, living alone, inevitably clashed.

Radnor at times seemed possessed of the very devil of perversity; and if he ever drank or gambled, it was as much to assert his independence as for any other reason.

There were days when he and his father were barely on speaking terms.
Life at the plantation, however, was for the most part easy-going and flexible, as is likely to be the case in a bachelor establishment.

We dropped cigar ashes anywhere we pleased, cocked our feet on the parlor table if we saw fit, and let the dogs troop all over the place.

I spent the greater part of my time on horseback, riding about the country with Radnor on business for the farm.