"It's all very well Chamberlain insisting on keeping this thing going," said Prince Arthur, anxiously; "but I have my responsibilities. If Debate at this comparatively early stage thus affects a man like Ambrose, where shall we all be in another week?"
Business done.—Still on Clause II.
Wednesday.—Pretty to see Gorst just now balancing Macartney's hat by brim on tip of his nose. Looks easy enough when done by an expert; those inclined to scoff at the accomplishment should try it themselves. Opportunity came suddenly, and unexpectedly. No ground for supposing Gorst had been practising the trick in the Cloak-room before entering House. No collusion; all fair and above-board—or, rather, above nose. Came about as incident in Committee on Home-Rule Bill. Jokim, taking part in game of Chairman-baiting, challenged Mellor's ruling on putting Motion to Report Progress. House being cleared for a Division, rules of debate require Member to address Chair seated, and wearing his hat. What would happen to British Constitution if, in such circumstances, Member rose and addressed Speaker or Chairman in ordinary fashion, Heaven only knows. No mere man bold enough to try it. Even Mr. G., who has Disestablished a Church, and now tampers with Unity of the Empire, shrinks before this temptation.
Jokim, making his complaint, got along all right. Performed task in due form; Mellor justified his action; Gorst proposed to follow. Hadn't got his hat with him; but that of no consequence, since Jokim was at hand. "Lend me one of your hats," he whispered hurriedly to his Right Hon. Friend.
"What do you mean?" said Jokim. "I've only one."
"Oh!" said Gorst, raising his eyebrows with polite incredulity. Macartney, sitting behind, proffered his. Gorst planted it on his head; found it three sizes too small; still, if he held on to it, he might manage. "Mr. Mellor," he commenced, but got no further with projected speech. Attention of House drawn to him his dilemma discovered: shout of laughter burst forth as hat gradually tilted forward, and Gorst, deftly catching it by brim on tip of his nose, balanced it for fifteen seconds by Westminster Clock. Chairman seized opportunity of abstracted attention to put question, and when Gorst, recapturing Macartney's hat, had fixed it again on summit of his head, division was called; too late for him to speak.
Business done.—Second Clause Home Rule Bill added.
Mr. G.'s "Table-Talk."
Friday.—Treasury Chest Bill on for Third Reading. Has since introduction wrought singular effect upon Hanbury. Nobody knows what Bill is about, least of all Hanbury; but he has opposed it at every stage. Yesterday divided Committee on First Clause; returns to attack to-day. "Better let us get away for our hardly-earned holiday," I said.