It is our duty never to speak ill of others, you know; least of all when we know that to do so will be the cause of much pain and trouble. - George Gissing

The truth was that nature had endowed them with a larger share of brains than was common in their circle, and had added that touch of pride which harmonised so ill with the restrictions of poverty. Their life had a tone of melancholy, the painful reserve which characterises a certain clearly-defined class in the present day.

They belonged to that very small class of persons who still read, who have mind and leisure to find companionship in books.

In passion, I can fling out violent words, but they don’t yet answer to my actual feeling. It will be long enough yet before I think contemptuously of you. You know that when a light is suddenly extinguished, the image of it still shows before your eyes. But at last comes the darkness.