"He isn't," said Ralph. "He's just—a fool."
"I know. Did you ever hear such putrid rot as he talked?"
"I don't know. For the kind of silly thing it was, his speech wasn't half bad."
"What? About going over the top? Oh, Lord! And after turning the
Ballingers out, too."
Ralph was silent.
"What's happened to him? He didn't use to be like that. He must be mad, or something."
Ralph thought of Mrs. Levitt.
"He's getting old and he doesn't like it. That's what's the matter with him."
"But hang it all, Ralph, that's no excuse. It really isn't."
"I believe Ballinger gave him some provocation."