St. Herbert. How do you mean, “ruined?”
Sigsby. So it is. If she wins the election and claims the seat. Do you think the Cabinet will want him? Their latest addition compelled to appeal to the House of Commons to fight for him against his own womenfolk. (Grunts.) He’ll be the laughing-stock of the whole country.
St. Herbert. Do you know for certain that they mean to claim the seat?
Sigsby. “Wait and see” is their answer.
Lamb. Hasn’t Chilvers any idea?
Sigsby. Can’t get him to talk. Don’t think he’s seen her since that shindy over the Deputation.
Lamb. Humph!
Sigsby. Even if she herself wished to draw back, the others would overrule her.
Lamb. I’m not so sure of that. She’s got a way of shutting her mouth that reminds me of my old woman.
Sigsby. The arrangement, as he explained it to me, was that the whole thing was to end with the polling. It was to have been a mere joke, a mere ballon d’essai. The mistake he made was thinking he could depend on her.