No man likes to see his emotions the sport of a merry-go-round of skittishness.
 Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd (1874). copy citation

add
Author Thomas Hardy
Source Far from the Madding Crowd
Topic emotions sport
Date 1874
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/107/107-h/107-h.htm

Context

“May I call in the evening, or will you walk along with me o' Sundays? I don't want you to make-up your mind at once, if you'd rather not."
"No—no—I cannot. Don't press me any more—don't. I don't love you—so 'twould be ridiculous," she said, with a laugh.
No man likes to see his emotions the sport of a merry-go-round of skittishness. "Very well," said Oak, firmly, with the bearing of one who was going to give his days and nights to Ecclesiastes for ever. "Then I'll ask you no more."
CHAPTER V
DEPARTURE OF BATHSHEBA—A PASTORAL TRAGEDY
source