It would have been well for me to have had it.

There was never any in my own home; there was never anything in my home life but painful memories of domestic trouble and financial stress.

I was for a while asked to the homes of schoolmates, but could offer no hospitality in return.
Sensitiveness and humiliation have strained the better qualities out of me.

I've been bruised dry." He leaned on his elbows, hands clasped, looking out into the sunlight where myriads of brilliant butterflies were fluttering over the carpet of white phlox.
"Hamil," he said, "whatever is harsh, aggressive, cynical, mean, sneering, selfish in me has been externally acquired.

You scrape even a spineless mollusc too long with a pin, and the irritation produces a defensive crust.