It is not known for certain why Thurber chose this name but it is a fairly unique first name so there must have been some reason. My theory is that when first looking at the name Ulgine, one thinks of the word 'ugliness," or 'ugly." Once the ugly personality of Ms. "Ugly" Barrows' becomes apparent, the ugly truth of the theory will become equally apparent, as ugly as that may seem.
Mr. Martin Mrs. Ulgine Barrows Mr. Fitweiler
Mr. Martin is a perfect gentleman, has no vices and quietly does his job most efficiently. Mrs. Barrows, on the other hand, is overbearing, rude and inconsiderate. James Thurber is perhaps one of the best authors to capture the true nature of the human character. This is what makes him such a delightful read.
In James Thurber's "The Catbird Seat," Erwin Martin's comedic plot to murder an opportunistic manager is a revenge story. Ulgine Barrows had insinuated herself into the company by using her charms on elderly boss, Mr. Fitweiler. Once in the door, she proceeded to wreak havoc, moving from department to department, firing numerous workers, and changing the way the work is done. When she starts making suggestions about Martin's department, he hatches a plan to get rid of her once and for all.
Mr. Martin came to the conclusion that he could not go through with the planned murder of Mrs. Barrows, so another plan came to mind. Suddenly he decide he would act completely out of character by smoking and drinking and saying the most outlandish things he could think of about murdering Mr. Fitweiler. He knew she would report his threats to Mr. Fitweiler along with the fact that Martin had been drinking and smoking. No one would believe Mr. Martin smoked or drank, therefore the rest of her story would be dismissed with the alacrity and finality as Mrs. Barrows herself soon would be.
This meant a favorable position or tactical advantage in originally a baseball game and was widely used by (Red) Barber in this context. Barber also popularized the phrase (Ducks on the Pond)- for Bases Loaded. We do not have his brand of sports caster today.
Mr. Martin felt that at 9:30 pm it was less likely that any people would be going in or coming out of the house; therefore less likely that anyone would spot him going inside. He had a routine schedule for leaving work, dining then leaving for home that he kept to meticulously. He did not have that laissez-faire attitude toward punctuality we find with interminable regularity in rest of the male species. He had his schedule thought out and he kept to it.