The thought occurred to Thomas that it might have been preferable to lose her to water than to anger: then he might have mourned the girl who’d loved him, and not been subject to withdrawal of that love. Then God forgive me, he thought, and it would have to make do for a prayer.

The mood of thoughtful men, throughout the whole period, was one of deep unhappiness in regard to the affairs of this world, only rendered endurable by the hope of a better world hereafter.

I lost my faith,’ said Thomas, ‘I don’t know where I’ve put it, and now my house is empty and I live alone.’