After all, there's something to be said for Charnock's point of view.

Your delicate English grace and bloom ought to be protected and not rubbed off by the rough cares of life." "I don't know if you're nice or not," Muriel rejoined with a laugh.
"Anyway, you don't know many English girls, and your ideas about us are old-fashioned.

We are not kept in lavender now.

Besides, it isn't the surface bloom that matters, and fine stuff does not wear out.

It takes a keener edge and brighter polish from strenuous use.