glacial epoch of cold, unforgiving hostility, with an occasional Etna
flare of open warfare. You can't help it, old boy; but, at any rate, you
can't say you were not warned."

The first five weeks of the venture falsified Major Dagberry's prediction
and justified Reggie's optimism. There were, of course, occasional small
bickerings, and the existence of certain jealousies might be detected
below the surface of everyday intercourse; but, on the whole, the women-
folk got on remarkably well together. There was, however, a notable
exception. It had not taken five weeks for Mrs. Pentherby to get herself
cordially disliked by the members of her own sex; five days had been
amply sufficient. Most of the women declared that they had detested her
the moment they set eyes on her; but that was probably an afterthought.

With the menfolk she got on well enough, without being of the type of
woman who can only bask in male society; neither was she lacking in the
general qualities which make an individual useful and desirable as a
member of a co-operative community. She did not try to "get the better
of" her fellow-hosts by snatching little advantages or cleverly evading
her just contributions; she was not inclined to be boring or snobbish in
the way of personal reminiscence. She played a fair game of bridge, and
her card-room manners were irreproachable. But wherever she came in
contact with her own sex the light of battle kindled at once; her talent
of arousing animosity seemed to border on positive genius.

Whether the object of her attentions was thick-skinned or sensitive,
quick-tempered or good-natured, Mrs. Pentherby managed to achieve the
same effect. She exposed little weaknesses, she prodded sore places, she
snubbed enthusiasms, she was generally right in a matter of argument, or,
if wrong, she somehow contrived to make her adversary appear foolish and