HAKE So I thought it best to ask no questions.

PHOEBE Thank you.

HAKE Thank you, miss. [He goes out.]

ELIZABETH Can nothing be done to rouse the working-class woman out
of her apathy?

PHOEBE Well, if you ask me, I think a good deal has been done.

ELIZABETH Oh, what's the use of our deceiving ourselves? The
great mass are utterly indifferent.

JANET [She is seated in an easy-chair near the fire.] I was
talking to a woman only yesterday--in Bethnal Green. She keeps a
husband and three children by taking in washing. "Lord, miss," she
laughed, "what would we do with the vote if we did have it? Only
one thing more to give to the men."

PHOEBE That's rather good.

ELIZABETH The curse of it is that it's true. Why should they put
themselves out merely that one man instead of another should
dictate their laws to them?

PHOEBE My dear girl, precisely the same argument was used against
the Second Reform Bill. What earthly difference could it make to
the working men whether Tory Squire or Liberal capitalist ruled