I was put into clean linen of the stiffest character, like a young penitent into sackcloth, and was trussed up in my tightest and fearfullest suit. I was then delivered over to Mr. Pumblechook, who formally received me as if he were the Sheriff, and who let off upon me the speech that I knew he had been dying to make all along: “Boy, be forever grateful to all friends, but especially unto them which brought you up by hand!”
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 7. Master of satire Dickens is at his most savage and sharpest when portraying Pip’s pompous, self-important and blowhard uncle Mr. Pumblechook. Several similes attest to his inflated view of himself, when he is compared to a sheriff and treats Pip like a young penitent.