There were no pictures on the walls, a lack which was noticeable throughout the house.

The effect was a certain severity; there was no air of home in the spacious chambers; the walls seemed to frown upon their master, the hearths were cold to him as to an intruding alien.

Perhaps Alice felt something of this; on entering the library she shivered a little, and went to warm her hands at the fire.
'Sit in this deep chair,' said her brother.

'I'll have a cigarette.
How's mother ?' 'Well, she hasn't been quite herself,' Alice replied, gazing into the fire.

'She can't get to feel at home, that's the truth of it.