Old Miss Belle was deaf, he caught on to that immediately.

No one remembered anymore that anything had ever been 'wrong' with sweet Miss Belle.

"Come and show yourself," said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.

"We must send for her mother," said Miss Belle at once.

"The matter had better be openly discussed," said Miss Belle.

But Miss Belle couldn't go on, because a storm of clapping interrupted her.

Miss Belle held up her hand for silence.

Her cheeks glowed as she heard Miss Belle read that out.

And poor old Miss Belle never noticed anything anyway.

However, he later sees the woman return to his stand (per the suggestion of Miss Belle, who is revealed to be the main character's mother).