From previous ..

..she was hesitant to speak to uncle, she wanted to go home, explaining she was not at all scared and could take care of herself,  thankful for whatever he did for  her so far, sorry that he could have got himself into trouble on her behalf, 
.he scolded her in a whisper what a fool she was, they had lost touch for years , he was her real uncle and she his niece  , life had trapped them in their lives business  apart,  other uncles sold off her house

while he was away