Quote by Charles Dickens
That sort of half sigh, which, accompanied by two or three slight nods of the head, is pity's small change in general society.
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Summary
This quote describes a gesture that people often make in social situations to express a form of sympathy or pity. The "half sigh" is a subtle exhalation, usually accompanied by a few small nods of the head. It symbolizes a token of compassion or understanding, but it also suggests a sense of detachment or insincerity. The quote implies that this gesture is common in general society and is a socially accepted way of acknowledging someone's misfortune or hardship, albeit in a superficial or casual manner.