There could be no doubt that he firmly believed he had seen something or somebody, and whatever might be the explanation of that belief it had enabled him not only to recognise his mother's photograph but to criticise, and criticise correctly, a certain defect in the portrait.

She could not deny that what he said was true.

"Can such things really be ?" she uttered under her breath.
"Dear auntie, they _are_," said Austin.

"I've been conscious of it for months, and lately I've had the proof.

Indeed, I've had more than one.