Let's have another look at his hand, to see if there are any calluses.
I accepted the calluses as of long time and a matter of course.
But if we give it up, the calluses disappear; and if we meddle with it again, we miss the novelty and get the blisters.
But then he took her hand and felt its fine warmth, the calluses he remembered from all those months ago, and he felt better ...