When is the pain easier to bear?, Will wonders. Now, in the depths of winter, when he knows nothing of what she's doing, half a year's distance between their meeting -- a dull pain saps any warmth and robs him of his rest? Or the rending pain at midsummer when he knows she's near -- the pain of having her be so close, yet uncrossable fathoms distant?
His Dark Materials, Will/Lyra, midwinter and midsummer
When is the pain easier to bear?, Will wonders. Now, in the depths of winter, when he knows nothing of what she's doing, half a year's distance between their meeting -- a dull pain saps any warmth and robs him of his rest? Or the rending pain at midsummer when he knows she's near -- the pain of having her be so close, yet uncrossable fathoms distant?