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.