But as Poland's deep economic difficulties and bitter church-state conflict showed no signs of solution, his natural crotchetiness and distrust of "liberals" reasserted itself.
Stevens, known for his combustible temper, lost by three votes, and in a display of characteristic crotchetiness, immediately threatened to renew his challenge to Dole in two .
It is one of the merits of Novelist Brooks that he can disengage the social absurdities and crotchetiness of the passing generation from the admirable character that lies underneath.