Pity the fallen gentleman: you to whom money and fair repute are the chiefest good; and so, surely, are they… — William Makepeace Thackeray

Like many wealthy people, it was Miss Crawley’s habit to accept as much service as she could get from her inferiors; and good-naturedly to take leave of them when she no longer found them useful. Gratitude among certain rich folks is scarcely natural or to be thought of. They take needy people’s services as their due. Nor have you, O poor parasite and humble hanger-on, much reason to complain! Your friendship for Dives is about as sincere as the return which it usually gets. It is money you love, and not the man; and were Croesus and his footman to change places, you know, you poor rogue, who would have the benefit of your allegiance.

Them’s my sentiments.

Whenever he met a great man he grovelled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.