'It's just what the old-school politicians would like you to think. But it's nonsense. Nobody knows better than we that the best interests of men and women are identical—they can't be separated. It's trying to separate them that's made the whole trouble.'
'Oh, you know it all!'
'Well, you see'—she put on her most friendly and reasonable air—'men have never been obliged to study women's point of view. But we've been obliged to study the men's point of view. It's natural we should understand you a great deal better than you understand us. And though you sometimes disappoint us, we don't lose hope of you.'
'Thanks awfully.'
'We think that if we can only make you understand the meaning of this agitation, then you'll help us to get what we want. We believe the day will come when the old ideal of men standing by the women—when that ideal will be realized. For don't believe it ever has been realized. It never has! Now our last speaker for to-day will say a few words to you. Mrs. Thomas.'
'Haven't you had about enough?' said Borrodaile, impatiently.
'Don't wait for me,' was all her answer.
'Shall you stay, then, till the bitter end?'
'It will only be a few moments now. I may as well see it out.'
He glanced at his watch, detached it, and held it across the back of the seat.