[Illustration: The Macgregor proposes to "toss the Caber"--next Session!]
Simultaneously from below gangway uprose the tall figure of JOHN DILLON. Opposition roared with despairing indignation. Everything settled, to last button on the gaiter; JOSEPH had had his half-hour; Prince ARTHUR would take his, honourably leaving JOHN MORLEY his thirty minutes. Then Division called; Bill read third time; sent on to Lords; Commons comfortably home by half-past twelve. And here was JOHN DILLON claiming the right to reply to attacks and inuendos of the genial JOSEPH!
Tumult rose; DILLON folded his arms and faced it. A bad sign that gesture. Remember it in years gone by, when all things were topsy-turvey; when FORSTER was Chief Secretary, and, next to PARNELL, the hope of the Irish Members fighting for Home Rule was JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.
DILLON in that attitude evidently immoveable; various suggestions offered. Evade the Twelve o'Clock Rule, and sit till all was over; adjourn the Debate. Finally agreed that Debate should be adjourned till to-morrow--to-morrow, the day on which, at end of last real fight of Session, most Members were off on the delayed holiday.
Out of this dilemma PRINCE ARTHUR delivered a grateful House. Had prepared his speech through long sitting; doubtless had many bright things to say; but what was one speech among so many? Perish his speech, rather than the whole arrangements of Parliamentary week be upset. So gracefully stood aside; DILLON took his half hour; JOHN MORLEY followed in vigorous fighting form, marking fresh step in steady improvement as Parliamentary debater; and before midnight all was over.
_Business done._--Evicted Tenants Bill read third time by 199 votes against 167.
_Wednesday._--M. de Londres--the Hangman, as blunt Britons put it--called to-day. House engaged on Committee of Equalisation of Rates Bill; seat found for Monsieur under Gallery, where private secretaries of ministers and heads of public offices sit when Bills affecting their departments are under discussion.
"Monsieur has something to do with the Home Office, _n'est ce pas?_" I asked SARK. "Looked in, I suppose, to help ASQUITH?"
"No," said the Member for SARK. "It's not that. He's heard House intends to suspend the Standing Orders. Wants to see how _we_ go to work. Not above taking a wrinkle even from amateurs."