dreadly spectacle

She has been called a “free electron” in politics because of her sometimes independent stances apart from party politics.

She can communicate both of these intentions simultaneously by using an over-polite request such as Would you mind if I asked you to keep the windows closed, please? Such unexpectedly over-polite utterances are often interpreted as ironic.

I was elected to the Executive Committee of the Vegetarian Society, and made it a point to attend every one of its meetings, but I always felt tongue-tied. […] And it was not a little curious that whilst others expressed their opinions at these meetings, I sat quite silent. Not that I never felt tempted to speak. But I was at a loss to know how to express myself.