It isn't the people you seek who matter, but the people that will seek _you_; and some of them will have very strange ideas--very strange indeed.' Alma looked self-conscious, kept her eyes down, and at length nodded.
'Yes.

I think I understand.' 'That's why I said "provided".

You are not the ordinary girl, and you won't imagine that I feared for you; I know you too well.

It's a question of being informed and on one's guard.

I don't think there's anyone else who would talk to you like this.