Only once or twice in her life had she ever understood all of him, but the part of him which she knew, she knew intricately and well. No little appetite or pain, no carelessness or meanness in him escaped her; no thought or dream or longing in him ever reached her. And yet several times in her life she had seen the stars.
The narrative highlights the deep but selective understanding the protagonist has of someone close to her. Despite having only glimpsed a complete understanding of this person a few times, she has come to know certain aspects of him extremely well. She is astute enough to recognize his desires, sufferings, and flaws, but there are still thoughts and feelings that elude her grasp. This reflects the complexity of human relationships and the...