HORSHAM. I think, Farrant, you should have given me this message before.
FARRANT. My dear Horsham, what had it to do with our request to O'Connell?
HORSHAM. [_Scolding the company generally._] Well then, I wish he hadn't
sent it. I wish we were not discussing these points at all. The proper time
for them is at a cabinet meeting. And when we have actually assumed the
responsibilities of government ... then threats of resignation are not
things to be played about with.
FARRANT. Did you expect Percival's objection to the finance of the scheme?
HORSHAM. Perhaps ... perhaps. I knew Trebell was to see him last Tuesday. I
expect everybody's objections to any parts of every scheme to come at a time
when I am in a proper position to reconcile them ... not now.
_Having vented his grievances he sits down to recover._ BLACKBOROUGH
_takes advantage of the ensuing pause._
BLACKBOROUGH. It isn't so easy for me to speak against Trebell, since he
evidently dislikes me personally as much as I dislike him ... but I'm sure
I'm doing my duty. Horsham ... here you have Cantelupe who won't stand in
with the man, and Percival who won't stand in with his measure, while I
would sooner stand in with neither. Isn't it better to face the situation
now than take trouble to form the most makeshift of Cabinets, and if that
doesn't go to pieces, be voted down in the House by your own party?
_There is an oppressive silence,_ HORSHAM _is sulky. The matter is
beyond_ FARRANT. CANTELUPE _whose agonies have expressed themselves in
slight writhings, at last, with an effort, writhes himself to his
feet._
CANTELUPE. I think I am prepared to reconsider my decision.
FARRANT. That's all right then!
_He looks round wonderingly for the rest of the chorus to find that
neither_ BLACKBOROUGH _nor_ HORSHAM _have stirred._
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Stealthily._] Is it, Horsham?
HORSHAM. [_Sotto voce._] Why did you ever make it?
BLACKBOROUGH _leaves him for_ CANTELUPE.
BLACKBOROUGH. You're afraid for the integrity of the bill.
CANTELUPE. It must be comprehensive ... that's vital. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Very
forcefully._] I give you my word to support its integrity, if you'll keep
with me in persuading Horsham that the inclusion of Trebell in his cabinet
will be a blow to the whole Conservative Cause. Horsham, I implore you not
to pursue this short-sighted policy. All parties have made up their minds to
Disestablishment ... surely nothing should be easier than to frame a bill
which will please all parties.
FARRANT. [_At last perceiving the drift of all this._] But good Lord,
Blackborough ... now Cantelupe has come round and will stand in ...
BLACKBOROUGH. That's no longer the point. And what's all this nonsense about
going to the country again next year?
HORSHAM. [_Mildly._] After consulting me Percival said at Bristol....
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Quite unchecked._] I know. But if we pursue a thoroughly
safe policy and the bye-elections go right ... there need be no vote of
censure carried for three or four years. The Radicals want a rest with the
country and they know it. And one has no right, what's more, to go wantonly
plunging the country into the expenses of these constant general elections.
It ruins trade.
FARRANT. [_Forlornly sticking to his point._] What has all this to do with
Trebell?
HORSHAM. [_Thoughtfully._] Farrant, beyond what you've told us, Percival
didn't recommend me to throw him over.
FARRANT. No, he didn't ... that is, he didn't exactly.
HORSHAM. Well ... he didn't?
FARRANT. I'm trying to be accurate! [_Obviously their nerves are now on
edge._] He said we should find him tough to assimilate--as he warned you.
HORSHAM _with knit brows, loses himself in thought again,_
BLACKBOROUGH _quietly turns his attention to_ FARRANT.
BLACKBOROUGH. Farrant, you don't seriously think that ... outside his
undoubted capabilities ... Trebell is an acquisition to the party?
FARRANT. [_Unwillingly._] Perhaps not. But if you're going to chuck a man
... don't chuck him when he's down.
BLACKBOROUGH. He's no longer down. We've got him O'Connell's promise and
jolly grateful he ought to be. I think the least we can do is to keep our
minds clear between Trebell's advantage and the party's.
CANTELUPE. [_From the distant music-stool._] And the party's and the
Country's.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Countering quite deftly._] Cantelupe, either we think it
best for the country to have our party in power or we don't.
FARRANT. [_In judicious temper._] Certainly, I don't feel our responsibility
towards him is what it was ten minutes ago. The man has other careers
besides his political one.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Ready to praise._] Clever as paint at the Bar--best Company
lawyer we've got.
CANTELUPE. It is not what he loses, I think ... but what we lose in losing
him.
_He says this so earnestly that_ HORSHAM _pays attention._
HORSHAM. No, my dear Charles, let us be practical. If his position with us
is to be made impossible it is better that he shouldn't assume it.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Soft and friendly._] How far are you actually pledged to
him?