'The school-boy writing home to his parents and describing the milk-and-water, said "This is indeed weakness." I repeat that assertion in reference to myself at the present moment; and I ask your pardon.

Sir, you have seen my friend Slyme ?' 'No doubt,' said Mr Pinch.
'Sir, you have been impressed by my friend Slyme ?' 'Not very pleasantly, I must say,' answered Tom, after a little hesitation.
'I am grieved but not surprised,' cried Mr Tigg, detaining him with both hands, 'to hear that you have come to that conclusion; for it is my own.
But, Mr Pinch, though I am a rough and thoughtless man, I can honour Mind.

I honour Mind in following my friend.

To you of all men, Mr Pinch, I have a right to make appeal on Mind's behalf, when it has not the art to push its fortune in the world.

And so, sir--not for myself, who have no claim upon you, but for my crushed, my sensitive and independent friend, who has--I ask the loan of three half-crowns.