After using this expression Mr. Clutterbuck was so miserable that the very publicans themselves would have pitied him had they seen the sweat gathering upon his temples, and the droop of his mouth which at every moment more and more resembled that of a child who is about to burst into tears.
"Well, Mr. Clutterbuck," said the chairman with a sigh, "that's not very satisfactory."
"No, it izunt," said the Orangeman offensively, though in a lower tone; while the lady, who had hitherto befriended the forlorn financier, now regarded him with a constrained reproach.
"I am afraid," stammered the unfortunate man, "that I must have expressed myself ill."
"No matter, Mr. Clutterbuck, no matter," said the chairman, lifting his hand benignly. "The time will come for all that, when this deplorable measure comes, if it ever does come, before the House.... And now, Mr. Clutterbuck," he added leaning forward, to the evident annoyance of his colleagues who desired to have a word, "what about the policy of Offences Disfranchisement?"
To the immense surprise of his six torturers, Mr. Clutterbuck, in a manly and decisive voice replied, or rather shouted:
"I will have nothing to do with it!"
"Ear-ear!" said the barber enthusiastically.
"Mr. Pickle," said the clergyman reprovingly, "your interruption is most improper."