Also that the Ayah, who had a mother's love and care for me, paid very little attention to my being tidy in person or dress, except when I was exhibited to "company." But my mother was dead.

Ayah (after a terrible parting) was left behind in India.

And from the time that I passed into Aunt Theresa's charge, matters were quite changed.
I do remember the dresses I had then, and the keen interest I took in the subject of dress at a very early age.

A very keen interest was taken in it by Aunt Theresa herself, by Aunt Theresa's daughters, and by the ladies of Aunt Theresa's acquaintance.

I think I may say that it formed (at least one of) the principal subjects of conversation during all those working hours of the day which the ladies so freely sacrificed to each other.