I wanted to give Charlie Skate a dinner, but my father wouldn't have him at any price." "Charlie Skate is out at elbows, and bets at billiards.

I am respectable,--or at any rate your father thinks so.

Your father is more anxious about you than you are aware of, and wishes to make his house pleasant to you as long as he can do so to your advantage.

As far as you are concerned he rather approves of me, fancying that my turn for making money is stronger than my turn for spending it.
Nevertheless, he looks upon me as a friend of yours rather than his own.

Though he has given me three dinners in three months,--and I own the greatness of his hospitality,--I don't suppose he ever said a word in my favour.