"We have no personal quarrel with our opponents;" i.e., "They said some dreadfully rude things about me last night. Hope one of the local speakers will give them a trouncing afterwards, I'm expected to be polite."
"I congratulate you upon the growth of your Association, and the excellent political work it is doing in this district;" i.e., "Know nothing about it, except what the pasty-faced Secretary has just crammed me with, but must butter them a bit."
"Your admirable Member, whose voice we hear only too seldom in the House;" i.e., "A silent 'stick' whose silence is his only merit."
"No words of mine are necessary to commend this vote of thanks to your good will. You all know your Chairman;" i.e., How long will that stammering idiot be allowed to preside at these meetings?
Parliamentary.
"Of course I withdraw;" i.e., "Of course I don't."
"Of course, Sir, I bow to your ruling;" i.e., "I'm sure you're wrong."
"Of course I accept the Honourable Gentleman's explanation;" i.e., "Can't tell him he's a liar!"
"When I entered the House to-night it was with no thought of being called upon to address you;" i.e., "I should have been mad if I'd missed the chance of letting off my long-stored rhetorical fireworks!"
At a Dance.