He is studying his profession.' 'Pray call it trade; he prefers it.

How do I know that he's studying anything?
What does he mean by "studying"?
And to hear him speak scornfully of his friend Mr Reardon, who seems to work hard all through the year! It's disgusting, mother.

At this rate he will never earn his own living.

Who hasn't seen or heard of such men?
If we had another hundred a year, I would say nothing.

But we can't live on what he leaves us, and I'm not going to let you try.