"So stupid of her! Yes; I believe she does. And she's wild with rage because poor, dear Gerald is sickly—and won't marry. And Cecil has married you and flouted the family politics."
"Those liberal articles he wrote some years ago?"
"'Liberal'! You never read such radical stuff in your life! The Wychcotes are the Toriest Tories in England. Yes; he did that. That was bad enough. Then he went exploring in Africa and got laurels from the R. G. S. and chucked that. But you know it all——"
"Yes," said Sophy.
"He's really awfully able, Sophy—bwilliant——"
"Yes. I know."
Olive paused a moment.
"Can't you do anything with him, Sophy?"
"No."
"Poor dear! Well, I suppose not. He was always as obstinate as—as ... a Behemoth."