"He's a pretty sharp fellow—not educated, or polished, you know, but he seems to have some sensible ideas. He said he had never seen the Fletchers; because he didn't want to poke his nose in where he wasn't wanted. He showed his good sense also by saying that he had rather have me for a cousin than Fitz."
"That isn't a very high compliment—I'd say the same myself."
"Thank you, Oscar. Your compliment exalts me. You won't mind my strutting a little."
And Tom humorously threw back his head, and strutted about with mock pride.
"To be sure," said Oscar, "you don't belong to one of the first families of Boston, like our friend, Fitz."
"No, I belong to one of the second families. You can't blame me, for
I can't help it."
"No, I won't blame you, but of course I consider you low."
"I am afraid, Tom, I haven't got any cousins in the tin trade, like
Fitz."
"Poor Fitz! he little dreams of his impending trial. If he did, I am afraid he wouldn't sleep a wink to-night."
"I wish I thought as much of myself as Fitz does," said Henry
Fairbanks. "You can see by his dignified pace, and the way he tosses
his head, how well satisfied he is with being Fitzgerald Fletcher,
Esq."