GEORGE WINTER. [_Pretending to fly into a violent passion._] No decent woman would stand it. I refuse to ask my wife to expose herself to such a degradation. JAMES FORD. That means that you don’t represent Middlepool in the next Parliament, George Winter. GEORGE WINTER. I’d sooner lose my seat than expose a defenceless woman to such humiliation. You can go and tell that to your committee and be damned to you! SWALECLIFFE. But we came up from Middlepool on the understanding that we were to see your wife, Mr. Winter. GEORGE WINTER. My wife is in very delicate health. JAMES FORD. We shan’t keep her more than five minutes. You’d be wise to let common sense get the better of your pretty sentiments. [_There is a slight pause._ GEORGE WINTER _realizes that he cannot bluff them out of their determination: he goes over silently and rings the bell_. GEORGE WINTER. Very well. JAMES FORD. I think it’s the best thing, you know. GEORGE WINTER. But if my wife refuses to answer I warn you that I shall not say a word to persuade her. I think the whole thing’s a perfect scandal. [_The_ BUTLER _enters_. GEORGE WINTER. Tell Mrs. Winter that Lord Francis and I would be very much obliged if she’d come to the drawing-room for one moment. THOMPSON. Very good, sir. [_Exit._ BOYCE. I wish you to know that I have expressed myself very strongly all through against this proceeding. JAMES FORD. Shut up, Boyce. When we want your opinion we’ll ask for it. [_They wait in silence. In a moment_ CATHERINE _comes in_. GEORGE WINTER. These are the gentlemen of whom I spoke to you. Gentlemen, here is my wife. JAMES FORD. [_Cordially._] How d’you do, Mrs. Winter? Pleased to see you. CATHERINE. [_With a smile._] How d’you do? JAMES FORD. We’ve not had the pleasure of welcoming you in Middlepool for some time. CATHERINE. I’ve not been very well lately. SWALECLIFFE. [_To_ GEORGE WINTER.] Will you put the question to Mrs. Winter that we set in our letter to you of the day before yesterday? GEORGE WINTER. No, sir. If you’re not ashamed to ask the question you may ask it yourself. SWALECLIFFE. I am a stranger to Mrs. Winter. The matter requires some explanation. JAMES FORD. It’s no use making any bones about it, Swalecliffe. Mrs. Winter, I’m sorry to put you in this position, but there it is, and it can’t be helped. There are busybodies everywhere, and Middlepool has its fair share of them. There’s been a lot of gossip about you and your good man, and if we don’t look out it’ll lose him the election. CATHERINE. What do you want me to say to you? JAMES FORD. Well, we want to be able to go back to Middlepool and tell them we’ve had it from your own lips that there’s no truth in these reports.