Basil suspects that everyone in the room knows of his “secret heresy” (39) that he is “not eager for the changes” (39) advocated by the feminists. He is especially annoyed by the temperance movement because he does not want “a herd of vociferating women” (40) to impact his ability to drink.

Mrs. Farrinder asks if he would like to describe “the social and political condition of the South” (40). Basil declines, for he feels “a passionate tenderness” for the South (40) and does not want to defile it by speaking about it to Northerners. When Mrs. Farrinder notes that she has been advised not to speak in Southern cities, Basil, “with gallantry” (40), tells her it is a shame for the South.

Basil overhears Mr. Pardon telling Olive that Verena Tarrant recently gave many inspirational speeches in the West. Mr. Pardon tells Mrs. Farrinder how talented a speaker Verena is, and Mrs. Farrinder implores Verena to speak.

Verena demurs, and Dr. Tarrant explains that when Verena speaks, it is with “some power outside” (44) that “seem[s] to flow through her” (44). In order to help “the voice” (44) come, he lays his hands on her head.

Mrs. Farrinder is put off by Dr.