Her architect semi-husband moreover, who if not in the firm was doing an increasing share of its business, wanted to know _more_ about Vivien Warren.

"Was she or was she not the daughter of the 'notorious' Mrs.
Warren; because if so..." He took of course a highly virtuous line.
Like so many other people he compounded for the sins he was inclined to by being severe towards the misdoings of others.

_His_ case--he would say to Beryl when they were together at Chelsea--was _sui generis_, quite exceptional, they were really in a way perfectly good people--_Tout savoir c'est tout pardonner, etc._; whereas the _things_ that were _said_ about Mrs.Warren!...

And though Vivien was nothing nearer sin than being her daughter, still if it were known or known more widely that _she_ was the Warren in _Fraser and Warren_, why the wives of the wealthier clergy, for example, and a number of Quakeresses would withdraw their affairs from the firm's management.

Whereas if only his little Berry could become the boss, _he_ knew where to get "big money" to put behind the Firm's dealings.