Pearce shows a genuine concern for the negative aspects of class consciousness. Hatty's aunt is an extreme example; she regards her niece as a charity case and warns her sons against ever marrying her. The aunt's snobbery extends to the gardener, whom she regards as "stupid as a cow in a meadow." While Abel and the cows can see Tom when he visits the garden in the past, the aunt is too insensitive to see him or sense his presence.

Pearce is also aware of destructive changes in society, such as urbanization and the dangers of increased pollution. The image of the dirty pavement filled with dustbins as the modern successor to the idyllic garden is a striking example. Tom's Aunt Gwen attributes the change to the increase in the number of factories.

Pearce addresses prejudice as an adjunct to her theme of youth and age...