Ri-az tolooral ri do!
[Chorus everybody.
Whilst Irish Members popped up like parched peas on Benches below Gangway, Chamberlain took opportunity of looking over his notes, and Chairman, standing at table, forlornly wrung his hands, Tim Healy sat a model of Injured Innocence. As it turned out he, by rare chance, had not spoken at all. This made clear upon testimony of Macartney and Johnston of Ballykilbeg. What Tim felt most acutely was, not being thus groundlessly charged with disorderly speech, but that Grandolph, for whom he has a warm respect, should imagine that if he had an observation to offer in the circumstances, it would be one so frivolously harmless as that cited. To observe to somebody "You are knocked up," might, with tone of commiseration thrown in, be a friendly, almost an affectionate, remark. Why the words, if uttered at all, should be taken down, no one could even guess. Tim sat in deep dejection, overborne by this unexpected and undeserved contumely. Parched-pea business on Benches round him became contagious; Mellor up and down in the Chair with corresponding motion; Swift MacNeill shouting something at top of his voice; Ross rising to explain; Johnston of Ballykilbeg actually explaining; Macartney saying something; Tommy Bowles, not to be out of it, moving that somebody else's words be taken down. At length, in comparative lull in storm, Chairman adroitly signalled to Chamberlain, who continued his speech. Members, generally, gratefully availed themselves of his interposition to take their breath.
"Do you know, Toby, what this reminds me of?" said Earl Spencer, looking down on turbulent scene from Peers' Gallery. "Carries me back to boyhood's days, and what used to happen when, in temporary absence of head-master, French usher took charge of the school."
J. G. Lawson, on spending time in Library, looking up native name for proposed Legislative Assembly in Dublin. Found what it used to be called when Brian was King; written name down, tries to pronounce it. Tim Healy says, as far as he can make out, Lawson is speaking Welsh; it is suggested that Chairman shall put Question. Mellor says he's quite enough to do to put Amendments in English; declines to attempt the Irish. Lawson withdraws, using awful language, which he insists is Irish. It sounds even worse.
Business done.—Blusterous.
