Gladstone, entering from
behind the Speaker's chair at that very moment, just caught that one
phrase. It was impossible for him to hear more than that one word
"suspicion"; but at that word he pricked up his ears, and while he was
still walking to his place--before he had seated himself--"Hear, hear,"
he cried. His eagerness would not let him wait till he had taken his
seat. His absolute absorption in the Bill before the House was so
complete that, as he walked to his seat, you could see the rapt and
concentrated look, which showed that, even during the few minutes he had
been away, the brain had never left for one second its absorbing theme.
[Sidenote: The consolations of old age.]
But--as I have indicated--this complete subjugation of temper which Mr.
Gladstone has achieved, has its disadvantages when such a conflict is
provoked as that with Mr. Chamberlain on the article in the _Daily
News_. Mr. Gladstone himself spoke of the consolations of old age; there
is one consolation he did not mention. His absorption in the Bill and
the slight deafness in one of his ears do not allow him to perceive so
plainly the rude noises and interruptions by which he is often assailed
from the Tory Benches.
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