But this did not satisfy Ralph; his father's reason must be convinced of the desirability of the step, as well as his weak will give way.

The squire listened, looked wise, sighed; spoke of Edward's extravagance and the girls' expenses, grew sleepy, and said, "Very true," "That is but reasonable, certainly," glanced at the door, and wondered when his son would have ended his talking and go into the drawing-room; and at length found himself writing the desired letter to Mr.Ness, consenting to everything, terms and all.

Mr.Ness never had a more satisfactory pupil; one whom he could treat more as an intellectual equal.
Mr.Corbet, as Ralph was always called in Hamley, was resolute in his cultivation of himself, even exceeding what his tutor demanded of him.

He was greedy of information in the hours not devoted to absolute study.

Mr.
Ness enjoyed giving information, but most of all he liked the hard tough arguments on all metaphysical and ethical questions in which Mr.Corbet delighted to engage him.