He eyed disapprovingly the parcel which he carried.

It was a very dingy white, and greyish threads dangled from it.

Von Rosen thought it a most unpleasant thing, and reflected with mild scorn and bewilderment concerning the manner of mind which could find amusement over such employment, for he divined that it was a specimen of feminine skill, called fancy work.
Annie Eustace ran so swiftly with those long agile legs of hers that he soon perceived that interception upon her return, and not overtaking, must ensue.

He did not gain upon her at all, and he began to understand that he was making himself ridiculous to possible observers in windows.

He therefore slackened his pace, and met Annie upon her return.