Balfour is not remarkable for
readiness. Accordingly there is an awkward pause, and no one rises from
the Opposition Benches. This is serious, for first blood tells in
Parliamentary as in other prize fights. The Old Man, however, is all
alive. He passes on from this mighty announcement as though he had said
nothing in particular, and taking a bundle of notes--put together with
characteristic care and neatness even in the very centre of all this
storm--he proceeds to tell Mr. Goschen something about the currency
question, and the state of the silver market in India. The currency--who
cares about the currency now? Even the hardiest bimetallist cannot be
got to think of his hobby in the face of the dread news just heard. By
the time Mr. Gladstone has given his answers, Mr. Balfour has managed to
slightly recover himself, and has framed a question to the Old Man.
[Sidenote: The precedent of 1887.]
When at last the question does come, it is of a very innocent character.
The Old Man has declared that he had not the terms of the resolution
ready, but that they would be announced to the House before its rising
in the evening. All Mr. Balfour wishes to know is, what time it will be
when these terms are given.
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