"And it may be that you and I think that upon the whole they may be worn with advantage. What does the country say to that?"
"The country has never said the reverse. We have not had a majority against us this Session on any Government question."
"But we have had narrowing majorities. What will the House do as to the Lords' amendments on the Bankruptcy Bill?" There was a Bill that had gone down from the House of Commons, but had not originated with the Government. It had, however, been fostered by Ministers in the House of Lords, and had been sent back with certain amendments for which the Lord Chancellor had made himself responsible. It was therefore now almost a Government measure. The manipulation of this measure had been one of the causes of the prolonged sitting of the Houses.
"Grogram says they will take the amendments."
"And if they don't?"
"Why then," said Mr. Monk, "the Lords must take our rejection."
"And we shall have been beaten," said the Duke.
"Undoubtedly."
"And beaten simply because the House desires to beat us. I am told that Sir Timothy Beeswax intends to speak and vote against the amendments."
"What,—Sir Timothy on one side, and Sir Gregory on the other?"