He was working as a 'lowly' clerk.
He resented his 'lowly' status.
her 'lowly' origins
(..) no more than a captain of the guard. Perhaps he did once. Now I am not so sure. I do not think you would allow your son... ...to pledge himself to a lowly Silvan Elf. No, you are right. I would not. Still, he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none. FIMBUL BOLG (..)2013 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug