Now she was relieved that she had sent more than the coat, and that she had made him the gloves and belts. She touched the one at her hip again gently, a smile forming—only to be dashed at the rest of what Adela was saying.

"I would not." She snapped out. "I may not...I may not be used to having friends, but with him—he's—it's...it's easy for me to talk to him. I can understand him better than my old classmates. I don't need to be told not to hurt somebody I like." Not when she liked so few people to begin with.