CHRISTOPHER smiled a deep and wicked smile, and strode off in better spirits. Always like to say a kind word to a man when I can.
_Business done._--Land Purchase Bill again.
_Tuesday._--Fight on Land Purchase Bill been going forward again at Morning Sitting; rather dull, though enlivened by speech from PLUNKET, who once more reminded House how much it loses by his habitual silence. At Evening Sitting GRANDOLPH came on with his Licensing Bill. Let eager politicians and ambitious statesmen arm themselves for combat in the field of high politics; GRANDOLPH'S only desire is to do a little good in the world whilst yet he lingers on this level. Nothing new in crusade against drink. No _kudos_ to be gained; no acclaim of the multitude to ring in the pleased ear; no cheering clash of party conflict. GRANDOLPH gives a deprecating twirl to his modest moustache, and takes up his homely parable. Possibly he does this with the larger content, since he had his go at the Land Purchase Bill before Debate on Second Reading opened. His letters, published on eve of Easter recess, hurtled pleasantly around the heads of his esteemed friends on Treasury Bench. Could not say anything more or anything better if he joined in debate; so sits silent through Morning Sitting, and when the shades of evening fall, he meekly lifts up his voice, expounding a measure of domestic legislation fraught with permanent interest to the masses.
"A most promising member of the Band of Hope," says WILFRED LAWSON, regarding GRANDOLPH with fatherly kindness. "Wonder if I might ask him to crack a bottle of ginger-beer with me. Will certainly proffer the hospitality if I get a chance."
[Illustration: "I'm not nearly so innocent as I look."]
The grand young GARDNER (_and_ his wife; can complete quotation now) back again after wedding trip. Doesn't look quite so brisk as the average bridegroom. "Fact is, old fellow," he said, as I condoled with him, "when I said I would die a bachelor, I never thought I would live to be married, go off on a wedding trip, catch the influenza at Innsbruck, the measles at Milan, the scarlatina at Samarcand, and the malaria at Mentone."
_Business done._--Morning Sitting, Irish Land Purchase Bill; Evening, GRANDOLPH'S Licensing Bill read First Time.