Tom's a good fellow, and his company will be better than an empty house.

The visit won't cost me anything--Halliday is to go shares in the housekeeping." "Well, you may find it answer that way," replied Mr.Sheldon the younger, who considered that every action of a man's life ought to be made to "answer" in some way.

"But I should think you would be rather bored by the arrangement: Tom's a very good fellow in his way, and a great friend of mine, but he's rather an empty-headed animal." The subject dropped here, and the brothers went on talking of Barlingford and Barlingford people--the few remaining kindred whose existence made a kind of link between the two men and their native town, and the boon companions of their early manhood.

The dentist produced the remnant of a bottle of whisky from the sideboard, and rang for hot water and sugar, Wherewith to brew grog, for his own and his brother's refreshment; but the conversation flagged nevertheless.
Philip Sheldon was dull and absent, answering his companion at random every now and then, much to that gentleman's aggravation; and he owned at last to being thoroughly tired and worn out.
"The journey from Barlingford in a slow train is no joke, you know, George, and I couldn't afford the express," he said apologetically, when his brother upbraided him for his distraction of manner.
"Then I should think you'd better go to bed," answered Mr.Sheldon the younger, who had smoked a couple of cigars, and consumed the contents of the whisky-bottle; "so I'll take myself off.

I told you how uncommonly seedy you were looking when I first came in.