In fact, as she had said before, he was simply splendid! "Now, I do hope, Angelica, that you are going to forgive your brother," Mary insisted.

"He really means well.

I think he's what he is because he has never had a fair chance." And then more boldly: "I think the fault is largely yours and Matilda's.

Matilda says your parents died when you were all young; and he admitted that he does not even remember them.

And he also admitted, when I pressed him, that you and Matilda had not given him very much attention during his boyhood.
You and Matilda are older; you should have brought him up more carefully; you are both seriously to blame for what he is.