companions know. Gerald Lesworth is a British subaltern from Surrey, Gerald is attracted to Lois but not entirely confident about the direction (and detours) their relationship seems to be taking. The quintessential example of British manhood, Gerald is often uncomfortable with the Anglo-Irish view of the British Empire. Marda Norton is a friend and visitor of the Naylor family who is loved by Lois, admired by Hugo, and cordially despised by Lady Naylor. Marda is not-quite-secretly engaged to Leslie Lawe, a stockbroker, and this revelation is rather surprising news for all the residents of Danielstown. Minor characters Livvy Thompson is Lois's friend, a young lady who delights in taking charge, fiancée of David Armstrong is a soldier attached to the British regiment Laura Naylor Farquar is the sister of Richard, mother of Lois, and former sweetheart of Hugo Montmorency, Laura died when Lois was very young. Nevertheless, she is often in the thoughts of both Lois and Hugo. Mrs. Vermont is an English social butterfly whose primary interest is socialising, wife of Captain Vermont is a British officer The Hartigans is a neighbouring Anglo-Irish family possessing five unmarried daughters Daventry is a shell shocked British soldier who is nevertheless attached to the Intelligence division Smith is a British soldier, but such a minor character he is not even permitted a first name Viola is Lois's friend, penpal, and occasional confidant Mrs. Fogarty is one of the novel's few Irish Roman Catholics in favour of maintaining close ties with Britain. The Connors are a Roman Catholic Irish family who is nominally friendly with the Naylors Peter Connor is the Connor son captured by Gerald and his men. Although Peter is never actually physically present within the scenes of the novel, he and his political associates have a tremendous effect upon the residents of Danielstown as well as Danielstown itself. Themes Sterility The sterility theme permeates the novel in characters and environment. The absence of children is conspicuous as if "children seem in every sense of the word to be inconceivable" with the exception of Hercules, who is the youngest in his family and the only boy with four girls. The Naylors and the Montmorencys do not have children. The Hartigan girls are spinsters, "There are certainly a great many unmarried women." Lois has a feeling of being barren when she is looked at, "a glance from Mr. Montmorency or Laurence would