(1) The aspidistra of the book's title comes from the pot plants to be found on every window sill which, for Comstock, symbolise all that is wrong with the "mingy, lower-class decency" he is desperate to escape.
Niggardly
Definition:
(a.) Meanly covetous or avarcious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.
(adv.) In a niggard manner.
Example Sentences:
(1) British feminists being as niggardly in the Sun 's respect as they are about subsidising lap-dancing clubs, visiting Formula One brothels and subscribing to the late men's magazine, Nuts , a periodical brought to its knees by jealous harpies.
(2) If a 'niggardly' attitude is taken this will be impossible".
(3) Yet in a world that accepts same sex-marriage they see such “niggardly exemptions” as not enough to guarantee their freedom.
(4) Despite spending only "tuppence" in the transfer window and losing 16 players in the summer, Paul Ince has moulded a niggardly side; they had conceded only two goals in the league and kept three clean sheets before this fixture.