He wants the whole party to come, particularly Mr.Stocks, and he wants to know if you have forgiven him.
What can the boy mean ?" As the cheerful little lady paused, Alice's heart beat till she feared betrayal.

A sudden fierce pleasure burned in her veins.

Did he still seek her good opinion?
Was he, as well as herself, miserable alone?
And then came like a stab the thought that he had joined her with Stocks.

Did he class her with that alien world of prigs and dullards?
She ceased to think, and avoiding her hostess and tea, ran over the wooden bridge to the slope of hill and climbed up among the red heather.
A month ago she had been heart-whole and young, a simple child.

The same prejudices and generous beliefs had been hers, but held loosely with a child's comprehension.