His manners were good, but somehow he often jarred.

He had not, within her memory, said anything that could justly offend her, and although he was a neighbor and there were no secrets in the dale, she had not known him do a shabby thing.

Yet, on the whole, he rather repelled than attracted her.
She studied him as he came down the hill.
He was a big, handsome man, and it was, of course, ridiculous to dislike him because he was older than she and was getting fat.

He was an amusing talker and a good sportsman, but now and then one got a hint of hardness and cunning.

Somehow, so to speak, he did not ring true.
"I held on because I thought I might fall over the crag if I let go," she said with a laugh.