--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He asks me which of them two I liked…" description: "\"“He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked Mr. Harry Carson once--I don't know--I've forgotten; but I loved James Wilson, that's now o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg" --- # He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked… ![“He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked Mr. Harry Carson once--I don't know--I've forgotten; but I loved James Wilson, that's now on trial, above what tongue can tell--above all else on earth put together; and I love him now better than ever, though he has never known a word of…” quote by Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg) > ““He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked Mr. Harry Carson once--I don't know--I've forgotten; but I loved James Wilson, that's now on trial, above what tongue can tell--above all else on earth put together; and I love him now better than ever, though he has never known a word of it till this minute... I never found out how dearly I loved another till one day, when James Wilson asked me to marry him, and I was very hard and sharp in my answer (for indeed, sir, I'd a deal to bear just then), and he took me at my word and left me; and from that day to this I've never spoken a word to him, or set eyes on him; though I'd fain have done so, to try and show him we had both been too hasty; for he'd not been gone out of my sight above a minute before I knew I loved--far above my life," said she, dropping her voice as she came to this second confession of the strength of her attachment. "But, if the gentleman asks me which I loved the best, I make answer, I was flattered by Mr. Carson, and pleased with his flattery; but James Wilson, I"-- She covered her face with her hands, to hide the burning scarlet blushes, which even dyed her fingers.”” [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A woman reflects on deep, unspoken love and the pain of missed opportunities. **In simple terms:** Unexpressed love can haunt a lifetime. Key Takeaway Speak your feelings before it's too late. Themes love regret memory Mood melancholic reflective Type literary emotional When to use this quote - marriage proposals - confessions - personal narratives Key Concepts unrequited love self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What holds us back from expressing love? - How can we reconcile past regrets? A Different Perspective May romanticify emotional turmoil. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profession/) [Trial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trial/) ## Related quotes > [“What kind of sick freak makes people climb onto his roof to smoke?” Wilson asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-z-lewis/what-kind-of-sick-freak-makes-people-climb-onto-his-roof-to-smoke/) [Valerie Z. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-z-lewis/) > [“James Wilson, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, could write, summarizing early American legal practice: “In the contemplation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dudley/james-wilson-one-of-the-signatories-of-the-declaration-of/) Jonathan Dudley > [“Two centuries ago, the United States settled into a permanent political order, after fourteen years of violence and heated debate. Two centuries ago, France…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-kirk/two-centuries-ago-the-united-states-settled-into-a-permanent/) [Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-kirk/) > [ James \[Wilson\] has a great future ahead of him. Everyone can see he has a great left foot, it's incredible the way he can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-mata/james-wilson-has-a-great-future-ahead-of-him-everyone-can-see-he-has/) [Juan Mata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-mata/) > [I always loved when James Stewart did roles that were not so dialogue-based, like 'Vertigo.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/i-always-loved-when-james-stewart-did-roles-that-were-not-so-dialogue/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [Audrey was a princess, so natural, the camera really loved her... James and I kept each other company during all the rejections. We used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-gazzara/audrey-was-a-princess-so-natural-the-camera-really-loved-her-james/) [Ben Gazzara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-gazzara/) > [James Brown died owing me $50,000. But I loved James Brown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-king/james-brown-died-owing-me-50-000-but-i-loved-james-brown/) [Don King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-king/) > [I always loved James Brown, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradley/i-always-loved-james-brown-diana-ross-aretha-franklin-sam-cooke/) [Charles Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradley/) > [“Well, anyway, we walked around for a while, looking at the animals, and suddenly he asked me to marry him outside the cage of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/well-anyway-we-walked-around-for-a-while-looking-at-the-animals-and/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [And yet I know I am too young, that we're too young, for me to live my life only as it relates to you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-mccafferty/and-yet-i-know-i-am-too-young-that-we-re-too-young-for-me-to-live-my/) [Megan McCafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-mccafferty/) > [“Now do you see why I wanted to be sure you loved me before I told you? Although you still haven’t said you do…”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-m-shea/now-do-you-see-why-i-wanted-to-be-sure-you-loved-me-before-i-told-you/) [K.M. Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-m-shea/) > [“Ever had a beer before?" Gabriel grinned. She shook her head. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "Have you ever held a boy's hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvain-reynard/ever-had-a-beer-before-gabriel-grinned-she-shook-her-head-then-i-m/) [Sylvain Reynard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvain-reynard/) > [Dear Miss Independent, I've decided that of all the women I've ever known, you are the only one I will ever love more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/dear-miss-independent-i-ve-decided-that-of-all-the-women-i-ve-ever/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“My boyfriend recently asked me to marry him. I said yes. He’s the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever known. Problem is, the diamond he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vi-keeland/my-boyfriend-recently-asked-me-to-marry-him-i-said-yes-he-s-the/) [Vi Keeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vi-keeland/) > [“You just asked me to marry you," he said, still waiting for me to admit some kind of trickery. "I know." "That was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/you-just-asked-me-to-marry-you-he-said-still-waiting-for-me-to-admit/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) ## More by Elizabeth Gaskell > [“Osborne and Roger knowing that the wife of the former was a Frenchwoman, and, conscious of each other's knowledge, felt doubly awkward; while Molly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/osborne-and-roger-knowing-that-the-wife-of-the-former-was-a/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Well, He had known what love was-a sharp pang, a fierce experience, in the midst of whose flames he was struggling! but, through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/well-he-had-known-what-love-was-a-sharp-pang-a-fierce-experience-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [In all disappointments sympathy is a great balm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/in-all-disappointments-sympathy-is-a-great-balm/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/but-margaret-went-less-abroad-among-machinery-and-men-saw-less-of/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“And besides, in the matter of friendship, I have observed that the disappointment here arises chiefly, not from liking our friends too well, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/and-besides-in-the-matter-of-friendship-i-have-observed-that-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [What other people may think of the rightness or wrongness is nothing in comparison to my own deep knowledge, my innate conviction that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/what-other-people-may-think-of-the-rightness-or-wrongness-is-nothing/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“The first question sobbed out by his choking voice, oppressed with emotion, was-- "Where is she?" They led him to the room where his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/the-first-question-sobbed-out-by-his-choking-voice-oppressed-with/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Wearily she went to bed, wearily she arose in four or five hours' time. But with the morning came hope, and a brighter view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/wearily-she-went-to-bed-wearily-she-arose-in-four-or-five-hours-time/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [No one loves me, - no one cares for me, but you, mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/no-one-loves-me-no-one-cares-for-me-but-you-mother/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [I won't say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn't me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/i-won-t-say-she-was-silly-but-i-think-one-of-us-was-silly-and-it-wasn/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Mr. Thorton love Margaret! Why, Margraret would never think of him, I'm sure! Such a thing has never entered her head." "Entering her heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thorton-love-margaret-why-margraret-would-never-think-of-him-i-m/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“He never looked at her; and yet, the careful avoidance of his eyes betokened that in some way he knew exactly where, if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-never-looked-at-her-and-yet-the-careful-avoidance-of-his-eyes/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Ay! but mother's words are scarce, and weigh heavy. Father's liker me, and we talk a deal o' rubble; but mother's words are liker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/ay-but-mother-s-words-are-scarce-and-weigh-heavy-father-s-liker-me/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Margaret liked this smile; it was the first thing she had admired in this new friend of her father's; and the opposition of character,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/margaret-liked-this-smile-it-was-the-first-thing-she-had-admired-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Don’t be afraid,” she said, coldly, “ as far as love may go she may be worthy of you. It must have taken a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/don-t-be-afraid-she-said-coldly-as-far-as-love-may-go-she-may-be/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) [Explore all 330 Elizabeth Gaskell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## More Jem quotes > [Will closed his eyes. He could not hear Jem go, not anymore; he did not want to know the moment when he left and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-closed-his-eyes-he-could-not-hear-jem-go-not-anymore-he-did-not/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Charlotte, Will’s being vexing.' 'And the sun has come up in the east,' said Jem, to no one in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/charlotte-will-s-being-vexing-and-the-sun-has-come-up-in-the-east/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I designed a guitar for Ibanez and then they started manufacturing it - it's called the Jem - it's 26 years old and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/i-designed-a-guitar-for-ibanez-and-then-they-started-manufacturing-it/) [Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/) > [“The first question sobbed out by his choking voice, oppressed with emotion, was-- "Where is she?" They led him to the room where his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/the-first-question-sobbed-out-by-his-choking-voice-oppressed-with/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [A great sadness welled up in Magnus at the sight of him. It was human to age and die, and Jem stood outside that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/a-great-sadness-welled-up-in-magnus-at-the-sight-of-him-it-was-human/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Reparations,” said Jem very suddenly, setting down the pen he was holding. Will looked at him in puzzlement. “Is this a game? We just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/reparations-said-jem-very-suddenly-setting-down-the-pen-he-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You think she is pretty?' Will was surprised; Jem rarely opined this sort of thing. 'Yes, and you do too.' 'I hadn't noticed, really.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-think-she-is-pretty-will-was-surprised-jem-rarely-opined-this/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He looked from Will to Tessa and raised his silvery eyebrows. "A miracle," he said. "You got him to speak." "Just to shout at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-looked-from-will-to-tessa-and-raised-his-silvery-eyebrows-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The Brother's hood fell back, and his silvery hair shone out in the dim chamber like starlight. All the air rushed out of Tessa's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-brother-s-hood-fell-back-and-his-silvery-hair-shone-out-in-the/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/when-a-child-asks-you-something-answer-him-for-goodness-sake/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) > [He would look so young. They were both so young. Tessa knew it was unusual to marry at seventeen and eighteen, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-would-look-so-young-they-were-both-so-young-tessa-knew-it-was/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Do you remember when we stood together on Blackfriars Bridge?” he asked softly, and his eyes were like that night had been, all black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-you-remember-when-we-stood-together-on-blackfriars-bridge-he-asked/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We spoke of how to say good-bye,” Jem said. “When Jonathan bid farewell to David, he said, ‘Go in peace, for as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-spoke-of-how-to-say-good-bye-jem-said-when-jonathan-bid-farewell/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [ \[Jem\] 'It will help you sleep.' 'All I’ve been doing is sleeping!' \[Tessa\] 'And very amusing it is to watch, said Jem. 'Did you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-it-will-help-you-sleep-all-i-ve-been-doing-is-sleeping-tessa-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I had never thought about it, but summer was Dill by the fishpool smoking string, Dill's eyes alive with complicated plans to make Boo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/i-had-never-thought-about-it-but-summer-was-dill-by-the-fishpool/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) [Browse all 172 Jem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked Mr. Harry Carson once--I don't know--I've forgotten; but I loved James Wilson, that's now on trial, above what tongue can tell--above all else on earth put together; and I love him now better than ever, though he has never known a word of it till this minute... I never found out how dearly I loved another till one day, when James Wilson asked me to marry him, and I was very hard and sharp in my answer (for indeed, sir, I'd a deal to bear just then), and he took me at my word and left me; and from that day to this I've never spoken a word to him, or set eyes on him; though I'd fain have done so, to try and show him we had both been too hasty; for he'd not been gone out of my sight above a minute before I knew I loved--far above my life,\" said she, dropping her voice as she came to this second confession of the strength of her attachment. \"But, if the gentleman asks me which I loved the best, I make answer, I was flattered by Mr. Carson, and pleased with his flattery; but James Wilson, I\"-- She covered her face with her hands, to hide the burning scarlet blushes, which even dyed her fingers.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth Gaskell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-best-perhaps-i-liked-mr-harry/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Jem" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-best-perhaps-i-liked-mr-harry/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b23/elizabeth-gaskell-894_jem_he-asks-me-which-of-them-two-i-liked-bes_1449793.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He asks me which of them two I liked best. 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