morbid reserve, n.Definitions

Morbid reserve (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠always introverted: the box was locked, and when forced open, the key lay inside.

Morbid reserve (n.) betrays ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠itself by how hard it is to stop once it has begun: never press the reserved man, but keep silent while he regrets, tries to dispel the impression, and betrays himself by his very zeal to hide.