cantelupe. [A little comforted.] But I shall miss one or two of those ideas . .
horsham. [So pleasantly sceptical.] Do you think they'd have outlasted the second reading? Dullness in the country one expects. Dullness in the House one can cope with. But do you know, I have never sat in a cabinet yet that didn't greet anything like a new idea in chilling silence.
cantelupe. Well, I should regret to have caused you trouble, Cyril.
horsham. [His hand on the other's shoulder.] Oh . . we don't take politics so much to heart as that, I hope.
cantelupe. [With sweet gravity.] I take politics very much to heart. Yes, I know what you mean . . but that's the sort of remark that makes people call you cynical. [horsham smiles as if at a compliment and starts with cantelupe towards the door. cantelupe, who would not hurt his feelings, changes the subject.] By the bye, I'm glad we met this evening! Do you hear Aunt Mary wants to sell the Burford Holbein? Can she?
horsham. [Taking as keen, but no keener, an interest in this than in the difficulty he has just surmounted.] Yes, by the will she can, but she mustn't. Dear me, I thought I'd put a stop to that foolishness. Well now, we must take that matter up very seriously. . .
They go out talking arm in arm.