ts to Dickon, Mrs. Sowerby, and Colin, she also comes to realize how badly she had behaved toward others earlier, especially when she recognizes in Colin the same arrogance: "Mary had indeed been rather like him herself and since she had been at Misselthwaite had gradually discovered that her own manners had not been of the kind which is usual or popular" (Burnett 213). More important even than this recognition is the fact that Mary shares her discovery with Colin, inspiring him to improve his social skills and be less domineering : "I don't want to be queer . . . I am not going to be" (Burnett 214).
In her general attitude towards Colin readers discover an admirable trait in Mary. She develops an almost motherly concern for her cousin, the ten-year-old who has spent his whole life assuming he wi
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