Walrond's face a study, whilst Hayes Fisher, carried away by enthusiasm of moment, rubbed his hands and smiled in anticipation of the scene.
The Opposition Whip had tough job in hand. To Fisher's logical mind the proposal that he should apologise was a non sequitur. Why, what had he done? As he told House later, seeing Logan come up and sit down on bench below him, he thought he was going to strike him. Natural attitude for a man meaning to let out straight from the shoulder at another is to sit down with back turned towards intended victim. Fisher's quick intelligence taking whole situation in at glance, he promptly proceeded to take in as much as his hands would hold of the back of Logan's neck, with intent to thrust him forth. That, as he wrote, "began the scrimmage." In other words, Mr. Gladstone was responsible for the whole business, even more so than Logan, who had wantonly brought the back of his neck within reach of Fisher's hand.
However, there were reasons of State why the guilty should go unpunished. Not the first time Innocency has been sacrificed that Guilt might stalk through the land unfettered. Fisher would apologise; but here again the untameably logical mind asserted itself. Logan must apologise first. It was he who had been forcibly ejected. On Thursday night Fisher had come up behind him; argal, he must follow him now. Thus it was settled, or so understood. But when critical moment arrived, House waiting for someone to speak, hitch occurred. Fisher waited for Logan; Logan, in excess of politeness, hung back. Awkward pause. Speaker observed he had certainly understood something might be said by the two gentlemen. Another pause. Logan and Fisher eyed each other across the floor.
Lord Chatham, with his sword drawn,
Stood waiting for Sir Richard Strachan;
Sir Richard, longing to be at 'em,
Stood waiting for the Earl of Chatham.
