Is it better to have had a good thing and lost it, or never to have had it?

“Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat!”

“Invisible insects of diabolical activity swarm in this place. I am tickled and …”

“All was over in a moment. I had fulfilled my destiny. I was a captive and a sla…”

“Whatever her tone with me happened to be, I could put no trust in it, and build…”