"Ah well," he said, "I dare say you are right." Meg felt a little
taken down.
"Of course, if you really want the ribbon you can have it," she said
loftily. She took it from her pocket and tendered it to him.
But he made no effort to take it.
"Keep it to tie your hair again, little girl," he said; "after all,
I don't suppose it would be any use."
Meg continued her packing with burning cheeks, and he filled up his
pipe and smoked it, watching her idly the while.
"It's an odd thing," he said, more as if making an observation
than addressing her, "but the gentlest-looking women are nearly
always the hardest."
Meg opened her mouth to speak, but found nothing to say, so closed it
again and began to count Mrs. Hassal's forks for the fourth time.
"I wonder would you mind if I gave you a little advice, Miss Meg, in
return for all you have given me," he said, taking his pipe from
his mouth and looking at it as if he were trying to find out the
lettering on its nickel plate.
"Certainly not."
She laid down the bundle and looked at him with calm, surprised
eyes. "Say whatever you please, I do not mind in the very least."
He sat up and played with the handle of a strap while he spoke.
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