Chapter 2—Friends
Dr. Sarrasin’s son Octavius was not exactly what one would call a dunce. He was neither a blockhead nor a genius, neither plain nor handsome, neither tall nor short, neither dark nor fair. His complexion was nutbrown, and he was altogether an average specimen of the middle class.
At school he had never taken a very high place, although he had occasionally won a prize. He had failed in his first examination for entering the College of Engineers, but a second attempt had admitted him, although with no great credit.
His character lacked decision—his mind was content with inaccuracies; he was one of those people who are satisfied to have a general idea of a subject, and who walk through life as though moonstruck. Such men float at the mercy of fate, like corks on the crest
