He was a clerk in a department store, and his board was generally in arrears.

Therefore, when Mrs.Hepton expressed an opinion he made it a point to agree with her.

In this instance, however, he merely grunted.
"I say fresh air in one's sleeping room is a good thing in moderation.
Don't you think so, Mr.Carson ?" repeated the landlady.
Mr.Carson rolled up his napkin and inserted it in the ring.

His board, as it happened, was paid in full to date.

Also, although he had not yet declared his intention, he intended changing lodgings at the end of the week.
"Humph!" he sniffed, with sarcasm, "it may be.