He wanted her to enjoy herself as the blessed do, without knowing why.

No pity for the man, you see, but no ill will to him.

David was having his thrills also, and though the last of them would seem a staggerer to him at the time, it would gradually become a sunny memory.

The only tragedy is not to have known love.

So long as you have the experiences, it does not greatly matter whether your suit was a failure or successful.
So Tommy decided, but he feared at the same time that there had been no quarrel--that David had simply drawn back.
How he saw through Elspeth's brave attempts to show that she had never for a moment thought of David's having any feeling for her save ordinary friendship--yes, they were brave, but not brave enough for Tommy.