"Why? Because a woman's beauty does not belong to her alone. It is part of the bounty she brings into the… — J. M. Coetzee

Because he takes pleasure in her, because his pleasure is unfailing, an affection has grown up in him for her. To some degree, he believes, this affection is reciprocated. Affection may not be love, but it is at least its cousin.

Talking to Petrus is like punching a bag of sand.

'Are you giving him up?'

'Yes, I am giving him up.'

I’m dubious, Lucy. It sounds suspiciously like community service. It sounds like someone trying to make reparation for past misdeeds.’