[…] he wished he had been a William Price, distinguishing himself and working his way to fortune and consequence with so much self-respect and happy ardour, instead of what he was!

An aspiring director was expected to jump through carefully placed and managed hoops of training, apprenticeship and credentialization.

The value of a damaged Belleek can be bleak. Because the porcelain is so thin, even hairline cracks can radically affect the value.

You'd rather lob-lolly about these refreshment-rooms, and stuff yourselves until you can't stir.