[Sidenote: He pounces.]
But if there were silence, it was simply pent-up rage, fierce resolve.
When, having brought the discussion down to past midnight, the Tories
calmly proposed that the debate should be adjourned, the Old Man got up.
He was very quiet, spoke almost in whispered lowliness; but he was
unmistakable. The vote would have to be taken. An hour later--when the
clock pointed to one--there was a second attempt. There was the same
response in the same tone--its quietness, however, fiercely accentuated
by Liberal cheers. And then, when the Tories still seemed determined to
obstruct, came a division, then the closure, and at one o'clock in the
morning Mr. Gladstone was able to leave the House. Thus was he compelled
to waste time and strength, that Mr. Chamberlain might nightly hiss his
hate, and Mr. Jimmy Lowther might gulp and obstruct, obstruct and gulp.
CHAPTER VI.
GLADSTONE THE SURVIVAL.
[Sidenote: From the past.]
What I like most about Mr. Gladstone is his antique spirituality. The
modern politician is smart, alive, pert, up-to-date; knows everything
about registration; hires a good agent; can run a caucus, and receive a
deputation.
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