The interests--the mental interests, I mean--of unfortunate people like myself, come to possess in time a peculiar significance and to yield a peculiar pleasure.

I have hobbies, Mr.Hamel.I frankly admit it.
Without my hobbies, I shudder to think what might become of me.

I might become a selfish, cruel, misanthropical person.

Hobbies are indeed a great thing." The brother and sister sat still in stony silence.

Hamel, looking across the little table with its glittering load of cut glass and silver and scarlet flowers, caught something in Esther's eyes, so rarely expressive of any emotion whatever, which puzzled him.