His father had bought him that thin curved case.

Oh! it was unbearable--just as he was going up to Oxford! "Can't mother be protected without ?" he said.

"I could look after her.
It could always be done later if it was really necessary." A smile played for a moment round Soames' lips, and became bitter.
"You don't know what you're talking of; nothing's so fatal as delay in such matters." "Why ?" "I tell you, boy, nothing's so fatal.

I know from experience." His voice had the ring of exasperation.

Val regarded him round-eyed, never having known his uncle express any sort of feeling.