It was as though his eyes were holding their breath, while his mother looked at him, her face flaccid and querulous, interminable, clairvoyant yet obtuse.
The human character has ever been formed by the employments the individual, or class pursues; and if the faculties are not sharpened by necessity, they must remain obtuse.
George was not an especially gifted student, but he was doubtlessly the more able of the pair, Albert being prone to laziness and an obtuse attitude towards their tutor.
" Yes, but still, " said Hermione, with an air of explaining something very simple to somebody very obtuse, " even if you do cause a diversion, how is Harry supposed to talk to him? "
Her tone, as she uttered the exclamation, had a plaintive and really exquisite melody thrilling through it, yet without subduing a certain something which an obtuse auditor might still have mistaken for asperity.
There can be as much benefit in shouting our feelings to a deserted beach, a large pillow or an empty chair as there would be in having a lengthy dialogue with an intimidating parent or an obtuse lover.
Mrs. Honeychurch had been civil, but obtuse in essentials, while as for Freddy—" He is only a boy, " he reflected. " I represent all that he despises. Why should he want me for a brother-in-law" ?
Russell might be dishonest or he might be merely obtuse — the English type might be brutal or might be only stupid — but strong, in either case, it was not, nor did it seem strong to Englishmen.