And somehow the homely comfort of Mrs. Earley's presence made her realise wherein lay the essential difference between these two men.
"He still treats me like a princess," she thought, "even though he thinks ... Oh, what can he think?" and Meg gave a little sob.
"There, there!" said Mrs. Earley, "don't you take on no more, Miss. The dear dog bain't 'urted not a 'air of him. 'E cum frolicking in
that friendly—I sometimes wonders if there do be anyone as William 'ud ever bite. 'E ain't much of a watchdog, I fear."
"He nearly bit someone this afternoon," Meg said.
"Well, I'm not sorry to yer it. It don't do for man nor beast to be too trustful—not in this world it don't."
At the drive gate Miles was standing.
Mrs. Earley took the pram with her for Earley to clean, and Meg and Miles walked on together.
"I'm sorry you've had this upset," he said. "I've talked to William like a father."
"It wasn't only William," Meg murmured.