"Rather a prickly boy..irritating..a relentless tease.."
The remarks come from Mr. Bruce Logie Lockhart, Jeremy's former Headmaster at Gresham's public school,where Jeremy spent eight years in a confined space conducive to making accurate character observations one might think. Julie too noticed these traits in Jeremy,found him difficult to read and went along with him hook,line and sinker to her great cost.
What was it in Jeremy's mien,in his manner which drew people who met him to this unflattering conclusion? What was it which intimidated his own sister into not wishing to impose on him by asking for a lift back home at Colin's party..had she sensed the anger and frustration in his lineaments,or had he on a previous occasion averted his gaze from her not through teenage diffidence but through intention,as he realized that she was no longer a good financial proposition but a drain on family finances,suspicion having long since replaced curiosity each time the siblings met in any social setting.
This same presentiment may well have struck Nevill as he pondered the forthcoming shooting season,or the ascetic June as she set about to write her last will and testament with the heartfelt filial letter included. Had the parents realized that their adoptive children had not turned out as planned,as Nevill wept over the death of his sister Diana and kept those dear mementoes of yesteryear on the walnut work desk,and June became aware that Sheila's life chances had diminished and that both children were no match for Pamela's.
Did the parents blame themselves as they stole glances at their adoptive children that final August weekend? Did they quail at the thought of these individuals they had helped to create? Or did they wring their hands and blame outsiders for the influence on their offspring,as they sat down on those long evenings and pondered the nature versus nurture debate?
