Throughout the afternoon Hilda had avoided her mother's sight; partly because she wanted to be alone (without knowing why), and partly because she was afraid lest Mr.
Cannon, as a member of the older generation, might have betrayed her to her mother.

This fear was not very genuine, though she pretended that it was and enjoyed playing with it: as if she really desired a catastrophe for the outcome of her adventure.

She had only come downstairs in response to her mother's direct summons, and instantly on seeing her she had known that Mr.Cannon was not a traitor.

Which knowledge somehow rendered her gay in spite of herself.

So that, what with this gaiety, and the stimulation produced in Mrs.Lessways by the visit of Mr.
Cannon, and the general household relief at the obvious fact that Florrie would rather more than 'do,' the atmosphere around the tinkling tea-table in the half-light was decidedly pleasant.
Nevertheless the singular turn of Mrs.Lessways' phrase,--"You've got your way,"-- had startled the guilty Hilda.
"Mr.Cannon's going to see to the collecting of the Calder Street rents," explained Mrs.Lessways.