In his lightest talk he was almost always edging towards a practical object, and it was an interesting and instructive amusement to watch for the moment at which he would ship the belt of his colloquial machinery on to the tight pulley.

It was done so easily and naturally that there was hardly a sign of it.

Master Gridley could usually detect the shifting action, but the young man's features and voice never betrayed him.
He was a favorite with the other sex, who love poetry and romance, as he well knew, for which reason he often used the phrases of both, and in such a way as to answer his purpose with most of those whom he wished to please.

He had one great advantage in the sweepstakes of life: he was not handicapped with any burdensome ideals.

He took everything at its marked value.