The Family's Bitter Pill — The Blue Castle

Olive Stirling writes Cecil Bruce that Valancy's crazy adventures paying off is disgusting and makes proper behavior feel pointless. Olive is sure Valancy was unbalanced when she left, doubts there was ever anything wrong with her heart, and jokes that Purple Pills might make a fine testimonial. She calls Barney insignificant, notes Valancy's quip about disliking collar ad men, and grudgingly admits he looks distinguished now that he is groomed and wealthy.

She mentions John Foster skeptically, Redfern's two-million-dollar wedding gift, and their Italian and Egyptian travels in a new car, not Lady Jane. Olive threatens to run away and disgrace herself since rebellion seems to pay. She mocks Uncle Benjamin and the clan's sickening fuss as Aunt Amelia brags about my son-in-law, Bernard Redfern, insisting Valancy laughs at them all privately.

Olive's letter is envy dressed as wit, revealing how the clan's morality bends whenever the prize is large enough to boast about while punishing obedience that wins nothing.