Your father will praise Gippsland whenever my Martin asks him to admire the beauties of our neighbourhood.
Many a time has Martin come home to me complaining of it.

We have no doubt on earth that Gippsland is a very fine place; but my brother has his idea's of dignity, you must know, and I only wish he had been more used to contradiction, you may believe me.

He is a lamb by nature.

And, as he says, 'Why underrate one's own country ?' He cannot bear to hear boasting.

Well! I put it to you, dear Annette, is he so unimportant a person?
He asks to be respected, and especially by his dearest friend.
From that to blows! It's the way with men.