But I was frightfully fond of the universe and wanted to address it by a diminutive.

I often did so; and it never seemed to mind.
Actually and in truth I did feel that these dim dogmas of vitality were better expressed by calling the world small than by calling it large.
For about infinity there was a sort of carelessness which was the reverse of the fierce and pious care which I felt touching the pricelessness and the peril of life.

They showed only a dreary waste; but I felt a sort of sacred thrift.

For economy is far more romantic than extravagance.

To them stars were an unending income of halfpence; but I felt about the golden sun and the silver moon as a schoolboy feels if he has one sovereign and one shilling.
These subconscious convictions are best hit off by the colour and tone of certain tales.