For some years now her life had centred round her brother Jeremy.

Had the Coles been an observant family they might, perhaps, have found some pathos in the way in which Mary, with her pale sallow complexion, her pear-shaped face with its dull, grey eyes, her enormous glasses, her lanky colourless hair, and her thin, bony figure, gazed at her masculine and independent brother.
Uncle Samuel might have noticed, but he was occupied with his painting.
For the rest they were not observant.

Mary was only seven years of age, but she had the capacity for being hurt of a person of thirty.

She was hurt by everything and everybody.

When somebody said: "Now, Mary, hurry up.