the poor souls must get through the time, you see—they must get through the time.
 Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone (1868). copy citation

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Author Wilkie Collins
Source The Moonstone
Topic soul time
Date 1868
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/155/155-h/155-h.htm

Context

“Sometimes, again, you see them occupied for hours together in spoiling a pretty flower with pointed instruments, out of a stupid curiosity to know what the flower is made of. Is its colour any prettier, or its scent any sweeter, when you do know? But there! the poor souls must get through the time, you see—they must get through the time. You dabbled in nasty mud, and made pies, when you were a child; and you dabble in nasty science, and dissect spiders, and spoil flowers, when you grow up. In the one case and in the other, the secret of it is, that you have got nothing to think of in your poor empty head, and nothing to do with your poor idle hands.” source