He had felt its tenderest sacredness when he had knelt before her in the Wood and kissed her feet, almost afraid of his own voice when he poured forth his pleading.

There were times when Dowie was obliged to hold herself still for a moment or so lest it should break down her determined calm.
It was to be faced this morning when Robin came down in her soft felt hat and short tweed skirt and coat for walking.

Dowie saw Mrs.Macaur staring through a window at her, with slightly open mouth, as if suddenly struck with amazement which held in it a touch of shock.

Dowie herself was obliged to make an affectionate joke.
"Your short skirts make such a child of you that I feel as if I was taking you out to walk in the park, and I must hold your hand," she said.
Robin glanced down at herself.
"They do make people look young," she agreed.

"The Lady Downstairs looked quite like a little girl when she went out in them.