"But," as he quaintly remarked to commiserating friend, "better have the tooth out at once."
Up again at first opportunity. Still harping on the Viscount.
"It is rather difficult to see," he remarked, "why, the Secretary for War having handed in his first resignation, we should still have been favoured with the continuance in office of the noble Viscount.... The upshot of the incident is that Colonel Seely has gone, while I hope the noble Viscount is going to remain."
Appeal irresistible. In response Morley explained that had Seely persisted in his first resignation his would have followed. When it came to Seely's second resignation he felt bound to remain.
Distinction subtle. Possibly it was effect of wrestling with it that made Curzon look less joyous than might have been expected, seeing he had realised his disinterested hope, and a second, even more damaging, secession from a stricken Cabinet had been averted.
Lord Curzon (to Lord Morley). "Must you go? Can't you stay?"
Business done.—In the Commons debate on Second Reading of Home Rule Bill resumed. Atmosphere significantly less stormy than heretofore.
House of Commons, Thursday.—The Member for Sark, in pursuance of his favourite axiom that there is nothing new under the sun, calls attention to two conversations in which he discovers singularly close parallel in tone and temper. The first will be found in official report of Parliamentary debate. It took place between Leader of Opposition and First Lord of Admiralty, the former insistent upon House being made acquainted with Sir Arthur Paget's report of what happened when he addressed officers under his command at Curragh on possibility of their being ordered to Ulster.
Here follows excerpt from official report:—