We saw that Brown's shyness would not allow him to give up the lap-robe.

This would offend Mary and her mother; and it would surprise the other ladies, partly because this stinginess toward the suffering Old People would be out of character with Brown, and partly because he was a special Providence and could not properly act so.

If asked to explain his conduct, his shyness would not allow him to tell the truth, and lack of invention and practice would find him incapable of contriving a lie that would wash.

We worked at the troublesome problem until three in the morning.
Meantime Mary was still reaching for the lap-robe.

We gave it up, and decided to let her continue to reach.