"But we have nothing.

There are the houses, but there is nothing in them.

But you shall have all our out-of-door flowers, and I think a good deal might be done with autumn leaves and wild things if you will let me try." A speech, which brought a flush to Mr.Raeburn's cheek as he stood in the background, and led Mary Harden into an eager asking of Marcella's counsels, and an eager praising of her flowers.
Aldous Raeburn said nothing, but his discomfort increased with every moment.

Why had his grandfather been so officious in this matter of the flowers?
All very well when Mellor was empty, or in the days of a miser and eccentric, without womankind, like Robert Boyce.

But now--the act began to seem to him offensive, a fresh affront offered to an unprotected girl, whose quivering sensitive look as she stood talking to the Hardens touched him profoundly.