ertie's recounting his canvassing encounter with mrs. McCorkadale has Aunt Dahlia convulse with laughter. When Spode comes in and hears the same his only reaction is that this was to be expected and leaves to find the notes for his speech on election day. Noticing Spode's apparent animosity with Bertie Aunt Dahlia asks for an explanation, whereupon Bertie tells her about his gnat encounter with Madeline Bassett. Aunt Dahlia advises him to steer clear of her to avoid any more of such encounters, and tells him that he need not fear that Ginger will lose the election because he has a secret weapon in the form of the oratory eloquence of Spode who will speak for him. At the same time she reports that the mellowing of L.P. Runkle by Anatole's culinary magic is working and that she expects Tuppy Glossop soon to be aptly remunerated for his father's past efforts. Then Seppings announces the arrival of mrs McCorkindale.