He was not a dandy, but he respected his person; he evidently gave careful attention to his body; and this trait alone set him apart among the citizens of Turnhill.
"Yes," said Hilda.

She thought: "He's a very handsome man! How strange I don't remember seeing him in the streets!" She was in awe of him.

He was indefinitely older than herself; and she felt like a child, out of place in the easy-chair.
"I suppose it's about the rent-collecting ?" he pursued.
"Yes--it is," she answered, astonished that he could thus divine her purpose.

"I mean--" "What does your mother want to do ?" "Oh!" said Hilda, speaking low.

"It's not mother.