This atmosphere, where everything took a religious value, came with a subtle fascination to him.

There was something in the air.

His own mother was logical.

Here there was something different, something he loved, something that at times he hated.
Miriam quarrelled with her brothers fiercely.

Later in the afternoon, when they had gone away again, her mother said: "You disappointed me at dinner-time, Miriam." The girl dropped her head.
"They are such BRUTES!" she suddenly cried, looking up with flashing eyes.
"But hadn't you promised not to answer them ?" said the mother.