He gave her a gentle look.  "You can't hide away.  I mean if you want to, I won't stop you, but you shouldn't.  Bullies and gossips can't be stopped if you don't stand up to them.   They just get stronger and keep teaching their children to do the same things."

He put a hand on her elbow and guided her to a jewelry store he had used before for a gift for his mother a few months previously.  "Let's go look at rings."  He smiled.  Inside the store, there were several glass displays of all sorts of jewelry.  He nodded to the salesman. 

"How can I help you this time, Mr. Vaughn?  Did your mother like the necklace?"

"She loved it.  Thank you for your help with that.  This time I am here for an engagement ring and wedding set for the two of us later on."  He indicated Karen.  "This is Karen Calloway, my fiance.  I want her to show you the ones she likes best."  He took off his hat and leaned a hip on one of the displays to watch Karen look around.