Gerald had some command, by mere force of personality, not because of any granted position.

There was a quality in his voice, amiable but dominant, that cowed the others, who were all younger than he.
Hermione was having a discussion with the bridegroom about nationality.
'No,' she said, 'I think that the appeal to patriotism is a mistake.

It is like one house of business rivalling another house of business.' 'Well you can hardly say that, can you ?' exclaimed Gerald, who had a real PASSION for discussion.

'You couldn't call a race a business concern, could you ?--and nationality roughly corresponds to race, I think.

I think it is MEANT to.' There was a moment's pause.