At times she would say something bitter about life (not about the doctor, for he was never mentioned), and it was painful to her brother to see gentle Elspeth grown cynical.

He suffered even more when her manner indicated that she knew she was too poor a creature to be loved by any man.

Tommy was in great woe about Elspeth at this time.

He was thinking much more about her than about Grizel; but do not blame him unreservedly for that: the two women who were his dears were pulling him different ways, and he could not accompany both.

He had made up his mind to be loyal to Grizel, and so all his pity could go to Elspeth.