You have no idea how I like all these things.

You said you were going to like 'em, too." "I do--rather." "Then take this one and pet it." She glanced at the boy beside her, realising how completely their former relations were changing.
Long ago she had given all her heart to the Seagrave children--all the unspent passion in her had become an unswerving devotion to them.

And now, a woman still young, the devotion remained, but time was modifying it in a manner sometimes disquieting.

She tried not to remember that now, in Scott, she had a man to deal with, and tried in vain; and dealt with him weakly, and he was beginning to do with her as he pleased.
"You do like to bully me, don't you ?" she said.
"I only want you to like to do what I like to do." She stood silent a moment, then, with a shudder, held out her hand, fingers rigid and wide apart.
"Oh!" she protested, as he placed the small dark-red amphibian on the palm, where it crinkled up and lowered its head.
"That's the idea!" he said, delighted.

"Here, I'll take it now.