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.
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