His mother listened for hours to his tales; and proudly marked all that she could note of his progress in learning.

His copy-books and writing-flourishes were a sight to behold; and his account-books contained towers and pyramids of figures.
"Ay, ay!" said Mr.Buxton, when they were shown to him; "this is grand! when I was a boy I could make a flying eagle with one stroke of my pen, but I never could do all this.

And yet I thought myself a fine fellow, I warrant you.

And these sums! why man! I must make you my agent.

I need one, I'm sure; for though I get an accountant every two or three years to do up my books, they somehow have the knack of getting wrong again.