What is eddie and catherine's first conversation about?

Inside the house Catherine, Eddie’s niece, greets him warmly. He comments on how her hair looks different and she tells him she has exciting news but will wait until her aunt, Beatrice, comes in. Eddie says he likes her hair but that her walk has become “wavy” lately and men are giving her looks. Catherine becomes distressed at his disapproval and Eddie tries to calm her, saying he promised her mother on her deathbed that he’d watch over Catherine. He adds that she is growing older and needs to keep to herself more.