Just before that dreadful Commune.

Over fifty! Fancy that! Such a pretty baby, and we were all so proud of him; the very first of you all." Aunt Juley sighed, and a lock of not quite her own hair came loose and straggled, so that Aunt Hester gave a little shiver.

Soames rose, he was experiencing a curious piece of self-discovery.

That old wound to his pride and self-esteem was not yet closed.

He had come thinking he could talk of it, even wanting to talk of his fettered condition, and--behold! he was shrinking away from this reminder by Aunt Juley, renowned for her Malapropisms.
Oh, Soames was not going already! Soames smiled a little vindictively, and said: "Yes.