'Pshaw, Ethel! she will always be a misfortune to herself and
everybody else.'

'I have faith in good coming out of misfortunes.'

'Illustrated, I suppose, by ravings about your young Ward. Mary is
crazy about his sister, and the Doctor lunatic as to the brother, who
will soon kick at him for his pains.'

'I own to thinking Leonard capable of great things.'

Tom made a grimace equal to what Ethel could do in that way, thrust
his hands deep into his pockets, and philosophically observed,
'Behold the effects of patronage! Blind Cupid is nothing to him.'

Ethel let it pass, caring too much for Leonard to set him up as a
mark for Tom's satire, which was as different from Aubrey's as
quinine from orange-peel, though properly used, it was a bracing
tonic, such as she often found wholesome. A cynical younger brother
is a most valuable possession to a woman who has taken a certain
position in her own world.

Tom was a sterling character, highly and deeply principled, though
not demonstrative, and showing his Scots descent. None of the
brothers had been extravagant, but Tom, with the income of his lately
achieved fellowship, performed feats of economy, such as attaining to
the purchase of an ultra perfect microscope, and he was consistently
industrious, so exactly measuring his own powers that to undertake
was with him to succeed, and no one suffered anxiety on his account.
As Dr. Spencer said, he was as sure to fall on his legs as a sandy