There was a sense of silence inside the house and out.

Miriam seemed as in some dreamy tale, a maiden in bondage, her spirit dreaming in a land far away and magical.
And her discoloured, old blue frock and her broken boots seemed only like the romantic rags of King Cophetua's beggar-maid.
She suddenly became aware of his keen blue eyes upon her, taking her all in.

Instantly her broken boots and her frayed old frock hurt her.

She resented his seeing everything.

Even he knew that her stocking was not pulled up.