Explain clearly, and I'll try my best." He did so, and so did I.

I think he even managed to knock something of the matter into my stupid head, where it remained--for ten minutes! Much longer remained the impression of his energetic talk--his clear-headed way of putting before another what he understood so well himself.

I marvelled how he had gained all his information.
"Oh! it's easy enough, when one has a natural propensity for catching hold of facts; and then, you know, I always had a weakness for machinery; I could stand for an hour watching a mill at work, especially if it's worked by a great water-wheel." "Would you like to be a mill-owner ?" "Shouldn't I!"-- with a sunshiny flash, which soon clouded over.
"However, 'tis idle talking; one cannot choose one's calling--at least, very few can.

After all, it isn't the trade that signifies--it's the man.

I'm a tanner, and a capital tanner I intend to be.