"Very well," says the Implacable One; "then see what it will cost you. No Bill no holiday, at least not as long as I can stand on floor and raise my voice."
All through the long sitting Tim been to the fore. No matter what subject, it served for him to take objection, and in most cases division. Attorney-General wanted to take first reading Expiring Laws Continuance Bill; a purely formal procedure; a matter of course at end of each Session. Tim objected. After vain protest, Attorney-General retired. Prince Arthur moved debate on Limerick election should have particular place on Agenda. Tim objected. Such a course, he argued, implied that debate on the dutiful address to most gracious speech from the throne might be interrupted in favour of any ordinary business. In voice faltering with emotion Tim resented this slight upon his Sovereign. Next in enormity was evidence discerned by his keen vision of demoralising influence of Hemprer Joe on Conservative principles. Before the fusion, Conservatives held sacred all constitutional precedents. Now, with a light heart, they proposed to flout an ordinance that had prevailed for seven hundred years.
Why seven hundred nobody knew. Tim might have put it at eight hundred or a thousand; but he is, above all things, a moderate man.
Speaker ruled Prince Arthur's procedure strictly in order. Squire of Malwood, coming to rescue of Ministers, admitted it was a course invariably taken under former Ministry. Tim took his stand on the British Constitution; put his protecting arms round his affronted Sovereign; declined to budge, and the master of many legions surrendered.
The same through long sitting, which closes at this moment with dawn surprising the blushing East. On successive questions—the suspension of twelve o'clock rule, the Speaker leaving Chair without question put, Chitral, and a long series of formal motions in Supply—Tim delivered innumerable speeches; took in all ten divisions. Once, House being cleared for division, he, in conformity with quaint requirements of the moment, remained seated with hat on, contesting points of order with Speaker. Alone he did it. Although from fifty to a hundred Members went out to vote with him, none felt capable of joining in his masterly controversy with the masterful Speaker.
Tim takes the leading part in the performance of Much Ado about Nothing, by the John Daly Company.
"We shall stay here at least a month; and he (Benedick) heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer."
Much Ado, &c., Act I., Sc. 1.
Hard lines for new Speaker; in Chair for nearly twelve hours, incessantly on the watch. But, as Sark says, the game has for him been well worth burning the candle at both ends. To-night's sitting has finally established his position in the Chair.