painting idea

I assured him I was naturally hard- very flinty, and that he
would often find me so; and that, moreover, I was determined to show
him divers rugged points in my character before the ensuing four weeks
elapsed: he should know fully what sort of a bargain he had made,
while there was yet time to rescind it.
'Would I be quiet and talk rationally?'
'I would be quiet if he liked, and as to talking rationally, I
flattered myself I was doing that now.'
He fretted, pished, and pshawed. 'Very good,' I thought; 'you may
fume and fidget as you please: but this is the best plan to pursue
with you, I am certain. I like you more than I can say; but I'll
sink into a bathos of sentiment: and with this needle of repartee I'll
keep you from the edge of the gulf too; and, moreover, maintain by its
pungent aid that distance between you and myself most conducive to our
real mutual advantage.'
From less to more, I worked him up to considerable irritation;
then, after he had retired, in dudgeon, quite to the other end of
the room, I got up, and saying, 'I wish you good-night, sir,' in my
natural and wonted respectful manner, I slipped out by the side-door