Oh, Mr. Thornton, I am not good enough!' 'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness.
Elizabeth GaskellGod has made us so that we must be mutually dependent. We may ignore our own dependence, or refuse to acknowledge that others depend upon us in more respects than the payment of weekly wages; but the thing must be, nevertheless. Neither you nor any other master can help yourselves. The most proudly independent man depends on those around him for their insensible influence on his character - his life.
Elizabeth GaskellDonโt be afraid,โ she said, coldly, โ as far as love may go she may be worthy of you. It must have taken a good deal to overcome her pride. Donโt be afraid, John.
Elizabeth GaskellMr Thornton would rather have heard that she was suffering the natural sorrow. In the first place, there was selfishness enough in him to have taken pleasure in the idea that his great love might come in to comfort and console her; much the same kind of strange passionate pleasure which comes stinging through a mother's heart, when her drooping infant nestles close to her, and is dependent upon her for everything.
Elizabeth GaskellNay, nay!โ said the Squire. โItโs not so easy to break oneโs heart. Sometimes Iโve wished it were. But one has to go on livingโโall the appointed days,โ as is said in the Bible.
Elizabeth GaskellHe had tenderness in his heart โ โa soft place,โ as Nicholas Higgins called it; but he had some pride in concealing it; he kept it very sacred and safe, and was jealous of every circumstance that tried to gain admission. But if he dreaded exposure of his tenderness, he was equally desirous that all men should recognize his justice; and he felt that he had been unjust, in giving so scornful a hearing to anyone who had waited, with humble patience, for five hours, to speak to him.
Elizabeth Gaskell