Honoria's friendship was a pure and precious thing, but in its very purity carefully restrained.

Praddy's kindness, and the office boy's worship had both been gratifying to Vivie's self-esteem, but both had to be kept at bay.

Somehow the love of a father and of an old nurse were of a different category to these other contacts.
All these thoughts passed through David's brain in thirty seconds.
He shook himself, straightened himself, smiled adequately, and tried to live up to the situation.
"Dear father! And dear ...

Nannie! (A bold but successful deduction).

How sweet of you both--greeting me like this.