"I shan't play!"
Hick-Beach followed; but spell broken; the listening throng, filling the chamber from floor to topmost range of gallery, swiftly melted away. Thus it came to pass there were few to see Harcourt as presently he went forth whimpering. He, the champion slogger, accustomed to rampage round the tents of the enemy, and bring his shillelagh down on any head accidentally protruding, had been himself attacked. Hicks-Beach girded at him to-night in comparatively gentle fashion. Harcourt tossed about on bench and pettishly protested; claimed Speaker's protection; Speaker declined to interfere. Then, digging lusty knuckles into moist eyes, he sobbed, "I—I—am not going to stay to be abused in this manner; shan't play!" and so went forth, amid the jeers and mocking laughter of naughty boys opposite. Business done.—Debate on Parnell Commission Report opened.
Tuesday.—Haven't seen anything more charming for a long time than Elliott Lees' plunge into debate on the Parnell Commission Report. Rose at same time as Charles Lewis, squaring his elbows, stretching his legs and crooking his knees, as if had just dismounted, after winning steeplechase. Charles Lewis, Bart., on feet at same time; might reasonably be supposed to claim precedence, having Amendment on paper, in addition to wide Parliamentary reputation. Lees didn't even look at Bart. Began his remarks, taking it as a matter of course that Speaker would call on him. House doesn't like Charles Lewis, Bart., so called on Lees, and Bart. withdrew, angrily snorting.
Very few Members present. Getting on for dinner-hour. General conviction that it's going to be a dull night. Nothing can help it. But Gladstone waits, and presently, attracted by Lees' superb sense of superiority, sits with hand to ear, listening with kindly smile. Nothing delights Grand Old Man so much as youth, especially aggressive youth—youth that knows about everything, with fuller information and judgment more accurate than its elders. This is what, years ago, first attracted him to Randolph. Now sits listening while Young Twenty-Nine, who represents Omniscience and Oldham, in drawling voice, hesitating for a word, but having no hesitation in keeping the House waiting for it, settles the question that for two years has riven parties and convulsed continents.
