Lungworth

The girl acknowledged the gesture with a smile; it was indeed much better. However, she thought, with a slightly less cheerful second thought, that it resembled somewhat inappropriate noble games. The phrase about "anything" also lingered at the edge of her consciousness – later, after some time, she would think:
"Mother, but it sounded a little creepy... We know those kinds of admirers; if that's what he meant... First, they flatter and ingratiate themselves, and then your regenerating head hangs in their dwelling as an idol and trophy, somewhere in the middle of the forest."
But for now, she simply said:
“Yes, I’m counting on you,” and moved on to the next topic.