"I like it best outside, don't you, Big Bear ?" "Yes," said Merefleet, with a simplicity that provoked her mirth.
"Oh, aren't you just perfect!" she said.

"You've done me no end of good.
I'd pay you back if I could." Merefleet was silent.

He could not see her beautiful face, but her words touched him inexplicably.
There was a long pause.

Then, to his great surprise, a warm little hand slipped on to his knee in the darkness and a voice, so small that he hardly recognised it, said humbly: "Mr.Merefleet, I'm real sorry." Merefleet started a little.
"Good heavens! Why ?" he said.
"Sorry you disapprove of me," she said, with a little break in her voice.
"Bert used to be the same.

But he's different now.