He had been away somewhere, in some strange place, painting, and then, on his return, he had hid himself and his odd affairs away in some corner of the house where no one saw him.

He had had his life and Jeremy had had his.
Nevertheless Jeremy was delighted to see him.

It would be fun to have him at Cow Farm with his squashy brown hat, his fat cheeks, his blue painting smock, and his short legs with huge boots.

He was different, in some way, from all the rest of the world, and Jeremy, even at that early stage of his education, already perceived that he could learn more from Uncle Samuel than from any other member of the family.
Now he put his head in through the door and said: "Well, you kids, aren't you ready?
It's time!" Then, seeing Miss Jones, he said: "Good morning," and bolted like a rabbit.

Even then Jeremy noticed that he had paint on his fingers, and that two of his waistcoat buttons were unfastened.
Then down in the hall what confusion there was! Boxes here, there and everywhere.