Thomas Hardy

“ As is well known, ideas are so elastic in a human brain, that they have no constant measure which may be called their actual bulk. Any important idea may be compressed to a molecule by an unwonted crowding of others; and any small idea will expand to whatever length and breadth of vacuum the mind may be able to make over to it. Cytherea's world was tolerably vacant at this time, and the young architectural designer's image became very pervasive. The next evening this subject was again renewed.
'His name is Springrove,' said Owen, in reply to her. ”

“ He doesn't know whether it is a bat or a bird, and takes it to the light when he is cool to learn what it is. He looks to see if she is the right age, but right age or wrong age, he must consider her a prize. Sometime later he ponders whether she is the right kind of prize for him. Right kind or wrong kind--he has called her his, and must abide by it. ”

“ I think he is the son of a farmer, or something of the kind.'
'Well, he's none the worse for that, I suppose.'
'None the worse. As we come down the hill, we shall be continually meeting people going up.' But Owen had felt that Springrove was a little the worse nevertheless.
'Of course he's rather old by this time.'
'O no. He's about six-and-twenty--not more.'
'Ah, I see. . . . What is he like, Owen?'
'I can't exactly tell you his appearance: 'tis always such a difficult thing to do.'
'A man you would describe as short? ”