This explains why some people's lives seem full of fortuitous circumstances, while others are riddled with regrets about roads not taken.

Once she sees that you can indeed live without her, she may make another play for you, but it sounds like some of your trust issues were well founded.

You can’t tell the truth — that you’d rather have dinner with a convict — and they’ll just try to argue whatever excuse you offer.

The children instead of giving him pennies laughed at him.

With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee.