HORSHAM. We shall all be glad, I am sure, to postpone any further
discussion....
TREBELL. I shall not.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Encouragingly._] Quite so, Trebell. We're on the subject,
and it won't discount our pleasure that you're out of this mess, to continue
it. This habit of putting off the hour of disagreement is ... well, Horsham,
it's contrary to my business instincts.
TREBELL. If one time's as good as another for you ... this moment is better
than most for me.
HORSHAM. [_A little irritated at the wantonness of this dispute._] There is
nothing before us on which we are capable of coming to any decision ... in a
technical sense.
BLACKBOROUGH. That's a quibble. [_Poor_ HORSHAM _gasps._] I'm not going to
pretend either now or in a month's time that I think Trebell anything but a
most dangerous acquisition to the party. I pay you a compliment in that,
Trebell. Now, Horsham proposes that we should go to the country when
Disestablishment's through.
HORSHAM. It's the condition of Nonconformist support.
BLACKBOROUGH. One condition. Then you'd leave us, Trebell?
HORSHAM. I hope not.
BLACKBOROUGH. And carry with you the credit of our one big measure. Consider
the effect upon our reputation with the Country.
FARRANT. [_Waking to_ BLACKBOROUGH'S _line of action._] Why on earth should
you leave us, Trebell? You've hardly been a Liberal, even in name.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Vigorously making his point._] Then what would be the
conditions of your remaining? You're not a party man, Trebell. You haven't
the true party feeling. You are to be bought. Of course you take your price
in measures, not in money. But you are preeminently a man of ideas ... an
expert. And a man of ideas is often a grave embarrassment to a government.
HORSHAM. And vice-versa ... vice-versa!
TREBELL. [_Facing_ BLACKBOROUGH _across the room._] Do I understand that you
for the good of the Tory party ... just as Cantelupe for the good of his
soul ... will refuse to sit in a cabinet with me.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Unembarrassed._] I don't commit myself to saying that.
CANTELUPE. No, Trebell ... it's that I must believe your work could not
prosper ... in God's way.