He had a brother and a sister, but between them and himself was a gap of four years, as some sisters who had been born after him had died in infancy.

Ned adored his father, who was a most kind and genial man, and would have suffered anything in silence rather than have caused him any troubles or annoyance by complaining to him.
For his mother his feelings were altogether different.

She was a kindly and well intentioned woman, but weak and silly.

On leaving school she had gone out to join her father in India.

Captain Sankey had sailed in the same ship and, taken by her pretty face and helpless, dependent manner, he had fallen in love with her, knowing nothing of her real disposition, and they had been married upon their arrival at the termination of the voyage.