You’ve listened patiently to all that has been spoken—
You listen still, and so we take it as a token
That you approve the measures that we think are needed,
And which, we fear, by many folks are scarcely heeded;
So, you who would enroll yourselves beneath our banner,
Will signify it in the usual manner.
The Government and the Opposition, everybody in the room, and the servants who were crowding round the door, held up their hands immediately, and the Bill was carried amid such enthusiasm as is rarely seen even in the House. And as the speakers came down from the platform, headed by Tom Martin, who played “We won’t go home till morning,” (no doubt under the impression that that best expressed the habits of Members of Parliament,) they were cheered all the way to the refreshment room, where they amicably settled their political differences over lemonade and sherry.
How fast time flies when the evening is being merrily spent! Who would have thought it was supper-time already? But so it was, and the lads and lasses were fast pairing off for that event, when a loud rat-tat was heard at the door.
“What, fresh arrivals at this time of night!” said one or two. “I wonder who it can be!”