Wilhelmina "Bill" Shannon, sister of Adela Shannon Cork; title character of The Old Reliable. A breezy, hearty, genial woman in the early forties, built on generous lines: rugged face, high cheekbones, masterful chin relieved by large, humorous eyes of a bright blue. Everybody likes her, even in Hollywood, where nobody likes anybody. Member of the New York jury that convicted James Phipps. Working on the memoirs of her sister Adela. In matrimonial pursuit of Smedley Cork.

• The Old Reliable