Yet it was very seldom that Jack saw any signs of strain between them.

They dwelt together without antagonism and without intimacy.
Nevertheless, Dot's announcement of her desire to go out into the world and hew a way for herself came as no surprise to him.

He knew that she was restless and far from happy, knew that his marriage had unsettled her, albeit in a fashion he had not fathomed till their talk together.
His young sister was very dear to him.

She had been thrown upon his care years before when the death of their parents had left her dependent upon him.

It had always been his wish to have her with him.