And you weren't meant for this sort of thing--were you?
You are a bright beautiful creature, and I am an unfortunate dog not to have been able to make you happier.

I know I am irritable.

I can't help myself, indeed I can't." This great long fellow was so yearning for love and sympathy.
What would it not have been to him if she had gathered him into her arms, and soothed all his irritability and suffering with her love?
But she pressed his hand, and kissed him lightly on the cheek, and told him that he had been a little sharp, but that she quite understood, and that she was not hurt.

Her charm of manner gave him some satisfaction; and when Bernardine came in a few minutes later, she found Mr.Reffold looking happier and more contented than she had ever seen him.
Mrs.Reffold, who was relieved at the interruption, received Bernardine warmly, though there was a certain amount of shyness which she had never been able to conquer in Bernardine's presence.

There was something in the younger woman which quelled Mrs.Reffold: it may have been some mental quality, or it may have been her boots! "Little Brick," said Mr.Reffold, "isn't it nice to have Winifred here?
And I have been so disagreeable and snappish." "Oh, we won't say anything about that now," said Mrs.Reffold, smiling sweetly.
"But I've said I am sorry," he continued.