'Get out o' Mr. Fletcher's road, ye idle, lounging, little - ' 'Vagabond,' I think the woman (Sally Walkins, once my nurse,) was going to say, but she changed her mind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A woman hesitates to call someone a vagabond, showing how language can be softened.
- In plain terms
- She stops herself from insulting, showing restraint.
- What can you take from it?
- Choose words carefully; restraint can change tone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you softened a harsh comment?
- Why is restraint valuable?
Another view
Context is unclear, limiting interpretation.
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