Suddenly she was alert, suspicious, hostile.
"What has she said to you ?" she asked quickly, frowning up at him and drawing back as though she were afraid of him.

He was startled at the change in her.
"Said ?" he repeated, stammering a little.

"Why only ...

Nothing ...
except that she cared for you and hoped that you would be happy.

She was afraid that it would all be strange for you at first ...