"Rufus ain't such a fool as he looks," he rejoined.
"Lor' sakes! Whoever said he was ?" protested the equable Mrs.Peck.
"I've a great respect for Rufus.

It wasn't that I meant--not by any manner o' means." What she had meant did not transpire, and Adam did not pursue the subject to inquire.

He also had a respect for Rufus.
It was not long after that brief conversation that he began to notice a change in his son.

He made no overtures of friendship to the dainty witch at The Ship, but he took the trouble to make himself extremely respectable when he made his weekly appearance there.

He kept his shag of red hair severely cropped.