Seelius. "I am undone!"
[Thrusts sword beneath armpit and expires.
Actor-Manager. "Capital! But try, if possible, to make it just a leetle more convincing."
Questions over, Seely read studiously prosaic statement of events leading up to resignations on the Curragh. Someone had blundered, or, as the Secretary for War, anxious above all things to avoid irritation, preferred to put it, "there had been a misunderstanding." All over now. Explanations forthcoming had smoothed out difficulty. Resignations tendered had been withdrawn. Familiar military command "As you were" obeyed.
That all very well. Opposition, upon whom crowning mercy had fallen from beneficent heavens, naturally indisposed to treat unexpected boon in niggardly spirit. Bonner Law insisted on business being set aside and opportunity provided for rubbing in the salt. Lively debate followed. Speeches delivered with difficulty through running stream of interruption. Byles of Bradford began it. Breaking in upon Bonner Law's speech with pointed question he was greeted with savage shout of "Sit down" that would have made the rafters ring, supposing there were any. Under existing circumstances the glass ceiling looked down compassionately, whilst Byles, after remaining on his legs for what seemed a full minute, resumed his seat.
Amid uproar that raged during succeeding four hours, Speaker, preserving a superb equanimity, rode upon the whirlwind and directed the storm. Whilst Premier was trying to make himself heard, Helmsley constantly interrupted. Speaker made earnest appeal to Members to listen in patience.
"There will," he said, "be plenty of time afterwards for anyone to ask any question or to reply to any point."
Winterton, ever ready to volunteer in the interests of order, asked whether John Ward, seated opposite, had not sinned in same manner as Helmsley.
"That is no reason why the noble lord should imitate him."
"What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," retorted Winterton. Left House in doubt which was which.