And honest Alan, who was a grim fire-eater in his day, has in this new avatar no more desperate purpose than to steal some young gentleman's attention from his Ovid, … [Contrasting the historical Alan Breac with his incarnation in the novel.]

Fortune had showered upon him gifts unlooked for; had enabled him, had he been blessed with prudence, to keep the path where he could have been free from ostentatious obligation, on the one hand, and soul searching mortification on the other: but, like an improvident spendthrift, he had lavished away in the fever of indiscretion, the gifts she had bestowed with so liberal a hand; […]

The T-shape stands for people who are broad (horizontal) and deep (vertical). T-shaped people are interested in ... Consequently, organizations like to hire people who encompass these broad and deep T-shaped skills and experiences.

Well, said he, at last, we've gone and done it, young fellah my lad. (This curious phrase he pronounced as if it were all one word - young-fellah-me-lad.) Yes, we've taken a jump, you an' me.