They had not been born so.
But in the house of Seagrave everything revolved around and centred in them; everything began for them and ended for them alone.

They had no chance.
True, they were also instructed in theology and religion; they became well grounded in the elements of both,--laws, by-laws, theory, legends, proverbs, truisms, and even a few abstract truths.

But there was no meaning in either to these little prisoners of self.

Seclusion is an enemy to youth; solitude its destruction.
When the twins were fifteen they went to their first party.

A week of superficial self-restraint and inward delirium was their preparation, a brief hour of passive bewilderment the realisation.