It was due to the fact that I had had no confidant in school and had been brought up in a home where there was neither father nor mother nor brother.
That night I heard a whispered conference below after I had gone up-stairs.

I knew that something was coming and wondered what it might be.

Soon Uncle Peabody came up to our little room looking highly serious.

He sat down on the side of his bed with his hands clasped firmly under one knee, raising his foot below it well above the floor.
He reminded me of one carefully holding taut reins on a horse of a bad reputation.

I sat, half undressed and rather fearful, looking into his face.