There were people on the ship with whom he had easily consorted consort -- so far as ease could up to now be imputed to him -- and who for the most part plunged plunge straight into the current that set from the landing-stage to London ; there were others who had invited invite him to a tryst at the inn and had even invoked invoke his aid for a " look round " at the beauties of Liverpool ; but he had stolen steal away from every one alike , had kept no appointment and renewed no acquaintance , had been indifferently aware of the number of persons who esteemed themselves fortunate in being , unlike himself , " met meet , " and had even independently , unsociably , alone , without encounter or relapse and by mere quiet evasion evasion , given give his afternoon and evening to the immediate and the sensible .