He always made friends with the younger ladies.

He never seemed to flirt, and yet he used to say things to them in public that even I felt inclined to pull him up for.

And then he used to ask them to go out walks with him, and, what's more, he went out with certainly two, alone; and you know that is rather a marked thing.
"He looked about forty, but he always gravitated toward the young people; made great friends with boys, and in a curious way, too.
Generally, if men make friends with schoolboys in a country house it is at the loss of their dignity--they run the risk of having to swallow all sorts of practical jokes, such as getting water thrown on their head and salt put into their tea; but he never compromised himself, and they always behaved to him with respect, but were quite impatient if he wouldn't come with them everywhere.

I overheard him talking to a boy once, and I didn't so much wonder; he spoke in such an affectionate way, and boys like to feel that grown-up people take the trouble to like them.
"He was very friendly with the governess, and would try to include her in the conversation.

I can't say he succeeded, for we were down on that.