To me it is rather important.

Just what were your feelings for Beatrice ?" "I think I was fond of her," he answered thoughtfully.

"I know that I hated her when she came in from the schoolhouse--when I understood.

Both of us, in the days of our joint poverty, had scoffed at principles, had spoken boldly enough of sin, but I can only say that when she came, when I looked into her eyes, I seemed to have discovered a new horror in life.
I can't analyse it.

I am not sure, even now, that I was not more of a beast that I had thought myself.