He wouldn't listen, and he seemed upset.

What's he upset over ?" Isabel looked serious; however, it was her husband who suggested gloomily, "I suppose the Major's bothered about this Sydney and Amelia business, most likely." "What Sydney and Amelia business ?" George asked.
"Your mother can tell you, if she wants to," Minafer said.

"It's not my side of the family, so I keep off." "It's rather disagreeable for all of us, Georgie," Isabel began.

"You see, your Uncle Sydney wanted a diplomatic position, and he thought brother George, being in Congress, could arrange it.

George did get him the offer of a South American ministry, but Sydney wanted a European ambassadorship, and he got quite indignant with poor George for thinking he'd take anything smaller--and he believes George didn't work hard enough for him.