They deferred
to John about everything and regarded him as leader of the family, and
in their deference there was more than simply a recognition of his
sturdy independence. Even John's father, Mr. Reginald Scarlett, a K.C.,
and a man of a most decisive and emphatic bearing, felt John's
difference.
John's appearance was unengaging rather than handsome--a snub nose,
grey eyes, rather large ears, a square, stocky body and short, stout
legs. He was certainly the most independent small boy in England, and
very obstinate; when any proposal that seemed on the face of it absurd
was made to him, he shut up like a box. His mouth would close, his eyes
disappear, all light and colour would die from his face, and it was as
though he said: "Well, if you are stupid enough to persist in this thing
you can compel me, of course--you are physically stronger than I--but
you will only get me like this quite dead and useless, and a lot of good
may it do you!"
There were times, of course, when he could be most engagingly pleasant.
He was courteous, on occasion, with all the beautiful manners that, we
are told, are yielding so sadly before the spread of education and the
speed of motor-cars--you never could foretell the guest that he would
prefer, and it was nothing to him that here was an aunt, an uncle, or a
grandfather who must be placated, and there an uninvited, undesired
caller who mattered nothing at all.
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