"As far as I can make out," said the Man for Shropshire, "it's 'The Campbells are Coming.'"
"By Jove, they shan't come," said Winterton, who was in his element (hot water). "'Journ! 'Journ! Journ!" he shouted, leading again the storm of interruption that prevented a word being heard from Campbell.
Speaker at end of five minutes asked Bonner Law whether this refusal of the Opposition to hear one of their leaders met with his assent and approval? Bonner Law haughtily refused to answer. Winterton and Kinloch Cooke more delighted than ever. Uproar growing, the Speaker declared sitting suspended and left the Chair.
"MORITHURI TE SALUTHAMUS."
"In regard to the Home Rule Bill, the position of himself and his friends was, 'We who are about to die salute thee.'"—Mr. Tim Healy.
A critical moment. So high did angry passion run that there might have been repetition of the famous fisticuffs on floor of House that marked progress of first Home Rule Bill. Ominous sign when Royds of Sleaford, ordinarily mildest-mannered of men, rushed between Front Opposition Bench and Table and shook a minatory forefinger at Asquith.
Premier only smiled. Happily his indifferent good humour prevailed on his own side. There was interchange of acrid compliments as parties joined each other on the way out. But nothing more happened, except that Hasleton and another Irish Nationalist, passing empty chair of Sergeant-at-Arms, lit, the one a pipe, the other a cigarette.
"Shocking!" cried an outraged Member of the old school.
"Not at all," said Sark. "When the House of Commons is enlivened by pot-house manners there is surely no harm in two customers lighting up as they pass out."