Horsham. That man ... [The name fails him.] ... my new man. One of those touches of Fate's little finger, really.
He begins to consult the ceiling and the carpet once more. Trebell tackles Cantelupe with gravity.
Trebell. I have only a logical mind, Cantelupe. I know that to make myself a capable man I've purged myself of all the sins ... I never was idle enough to commit. I know that if your God didn't make use of men, sins and all ... what would ever be done in the world? That one natural action, which the slight shifting of a social law could have made as negligible as eating a meal, can make me incapable ... takes the linch-pin out of one's brain, doesn't it?
Horsham. Trebell, we've been doing our best to get you out of this mess. Your remarks to O'Connell weren't of any assistance, and....
Cantelupe stands up, so momentously that Horsham's gentle flow of speech dries up.
Cantelupe. Perhaps I had better say at once that, whatever hushing up you may succeed in, it will be impossible for me to sit in a cabinet with Mr. Trebell.
It takes even Farrant a good half minute to recover his power of speech on this new issue.
Farrant. What perfect nonsense, Cantelupe! I hope you don't mean that.
Blackborough. Complication number one, Horsham.
Farrant. [Working up his protest.] Why on earth not? You really mustn't drag your personal feelings and prejudices into important matters like this ... matters of state.