"No. Harder."
He was startled, not displeased.
"How—harder?"
"More sure of yourself," said Concepcion, with a trace of the old harsh egotism in her tone. "It appears you're a perfect tyrant on the Lechford Committee now you're vice-chairman, and all the more footling members dread the days when you're [184] in the chair. It appears also that you've really overthrown two chairmen, and yet won't take the situation yourself."
He was still more startled, but now positively flattered by the world's estimate of his activities and individuality. He saw himself in a new light.
"This what you were talking about until five a.m.?"
The butler entered.
"Shall I serve tea, Madam?"
Concepcion looked at the man scornfully:
"Yes."