He was relieved to see that she at least understood his gesture. An encouraging smile twitched at his lips as he watched her put it on. "My mother," he began while pointing in the direction his mother had disappeared off to, "is going to find you some real clothes to wear. And you can sleep in my brother's room tonight, alright?"
We don't want you having to go back out in the cold. I'd...really like to know that we won't find you crying again, too," he ended with a sadder look in his eyes before trying to coax, "Where are you from?" Slowly, Stephen began to walk down the hallway to the room they wanted to put her up in. At the least, he thought, she might not be frightened if he introduced it to her instead of his mother.
Anna-Marie, though, while having good intentions, was also having trouble grasping that there were people that saw things differently than she, that for some it might not be so strange to go around in anything but the style of dress that was currently commonplace. She was embarrassed for the family, too, and hoped that no one of influence had seen her son and this mystery woman while they had both been half-dressed. Finally returning to Idris's room, she proudly held out a pale blue dress to present to them along with a pair of matching shoes.
"I think this would be better, don't you think, dear? More appropriate than that shirt. Barely covers her behind!" she exclaimed, though that was far from the truth.
"That's not true, mother," he groaned, gesturing to the girl. "And she's wearing a coat now. You can't see her anyway."
"What do you think, dear?" she asked, ignoring her son as she watched Vanora expectantly, despite the way the girl had reacted to her previously.
"She can wear it tomorrow, mother, I doubt she wants to get all dressed up now, it's nearly dusk!" Stephen protested, slightly wide-eyed at the idea and fear he had of his mother pushing her too far.