HORSHAM. Percival, as an old campaigner, expresses himself very roughly.
The point is, that we are after all only the trustees of the party. If
we know that a certain step will decimate it . . clearly we have no
right to take the step.
CANTELUPE. [_Glowing to white heat._] Is this a time to count the
consequences to ourselves?
HORSHAM. [_Unkindly._] By your action this evening, Charles, you
evidently think not. [_He salves the wound._] No matter, I agree with
you . . the bill should be a comprehensive one, whoever brings it in.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Not without enjoyment of the situation._] Whoever brings
it in will have to knuckle under to Percival over its finance.
FARRANT. Trebell won't do that. I warned Percival.
HORSHAM. Then what did he say?
FARRANT. He only swore.
HORSHAM _suddenly becomes peevish_.
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?
HORSHAM _looks up with the most ingenuous of smiles_.
HORSHAM. That's always such a difficult sort of point to determine,
isn't it? He thinks he is to join us. But I've not yet been commanded to
form a cabinet. If neither you--nor Percival--nor perhaps others will
work with him . . what am I to do? [_He appeals to them generally to
justify this attitude._]
BLACKBOROUGH. He no longer thinks he's to join us . . it's the question
he left us to decide.
_He leaves_ HORSHAM, _whose perplexity is diminishing_. FARRANT _makes
an effort_.
FARRANT. But the scandal won't weaken his position with us now. There
won't be any scandal . . there won't, Blackborough.
HORSHAM. There may be. Though, I take it we're all guiltless of having
mentioned the matter.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_Very detached._] I've only known of it since I came into
this house . . but I shall not mention it.
FARRANT. Oh, I'm afraid my wife knows. [_He adds hastily._] My fault . .
my fault entirely.
BLACKBOROUGH. I tell you Rumour's electric.
HORSHAM _has turned to_ FARRANT _with a sweet smile and with the air of
a man about to be relieved of all responsibility_.
HORSHAM. What does she say?
FARRANT. [_As one speaks of a nice woman._] She was horrified.
HORSHAM. Of course. [_Once more he finds refuge and comfort on the
hearthrug, to say, after a moment, with fine resignation._] I suppose I
must let him go.
CANTELUPE. [_On his feet again._] Cyril!
HORSHAM. Yes, Charles?
_With this query he turns an accusing eye on_ CANTELUPE, _who is
silenced_.
BLACKBOROUGH. Have you made up your mind to that?
FARRANT. [_In great distress._] You're wrong, Horsham. [_Then in
greater._] That is . . I =think= you're wrong.
HORSHAM. I'd sooner not let him know to-night.
BLACKBOROUGH. But he asked you to.
HORSHAM. [_All show of resistance gone._] Did he? Then I suppose I must.
[_He sighs deeply._]
BLACKBOROUGH. Then I'll get back to Aylesbury.
_He picks up his motor-cap from the table and settles it on his head
with immense aplomb._
HORSHAM. So late?
BLACKBOROUGH. Really one can get along quicker at night if one knows the
road. You're in town, aren't you, Farrant? Shall I drop you at Grosvenor
Square?
FARRANT. [_Ungraciously._] Thank you.
BLACKBOROUGH. [_With a conqueror's geniality._] I don't mind telling you
now, Horsham, that ever since we met at Shapters I've been wondering how
you'd escape from this association with Trebell. Thought he was being
very clever when he crossed the House to us! It's needed a special
providence. You'd never have got a cabinet together to include him.
HORSHAM. [_With much intention._] No.
FARRANT. [_Miserably._] Yes, I suppose that intrigue was a mistake from
the beginning.
BLACKBOROUGH. Well, good-night. [_As he turns to go he finds_ CANTELUPE
_upright, staring very sternly at him_.] Good-night, Cantelupe.
CANTELUPE. From what motives have we thrown Trebell over?
BLACKBOROUGH. Never mind the motives if the move is the right one.
[_Then he nods at_ HORSHAM.] I shall be up again next week if you want
me.
_And he flourishes out of the room; a man who has done a good hour's
work._ FARRANT, _who has been mooning depressedly around, now backs
towards the door_.
FARRANT. In one way, of course, Trebell won't care a damn. I mean, he
knows as well as we do that office isn't worth having . . he has never
been a place-hunter. On the other hand . . what with one thing and the
other . . Blackborough is a sensible fellow. I suppose it can't be
helped.
HORSHAM. Blackborough will tell you so. Good-night.
_So_ FARRANT _departs, leaving the two cousins together_. CANTELUPE _has
not moved and now faces_ HORSHAM _just as accusingly_.
CANTELUPE. Cyril, this is tragic.
HORSHAM. [_More to himself than in answer._] Yes . . most annoying.
CANTELUPE. Lucifer, son of the morning! Why is it always the highest who
fall?
HORSHAM _shies fastidiously at this touch of poetry_.
HORSHAM. No, my dear Charles, let us above all things keep our mental
balance. Trebell is a most capable fellow. I'd set my heart on having
him with me . . he'll be most awkward to deal with in opposition. But we
shall survive his loss and so would the country.
CANTELUPE. [_Desperately._] Cyril, promise me there shall be no
compromise over this measure.
HORSHAM. [_Charmingly candid._] No . . no unnecessary compromise, I
promise you.
CANTELUPE. [_With a sigh._] If we had done what we have done to-night in
the right spirit! Blackborough was almost vindictive.
HORSHAM. [_Smiling without amusement._] Didn't you keep thinking . . I
did . . of that affair of his with Mrs. Parkington . . years ago?
CANTELUPE. There was never any proof of it.
HORSHAM. No . . he bought off the husband.
CANTELUPE. [_Uneasily._] His objections to Trebell were--political.
HORSHAM. Yours weren't.
CANTELUPE. [_More uneasily still._] I withdrew mine.
HORSHAM. [_With elderly reproof._] I don't think, Charles, you have the
least conception of what a nicely balanced machine a cabinet is.
CANTELUPE. [_Imploring comfort._] But should we have held together
through Trebell's bill?
HORSHAM. [_A little impatient._] Perhaps not. But once I had them all
round a table . . Trebell is very keen on office for all his independent
airs . . he and Percival could have argued the thing out. However, it's
too late now.
CANTELUPE. Is it?
_For a moment_ HORSHAM _is tempted to indulge in the luxury of changing
his mind; but he puts Satan behind him with a shake of the head_.
HORSHAM. Well, you see . . Percival I can't do without. Now that
Blackborough knows of his objections to the finance he'd go to him and
take Chisholm and offer to back them up. I know he would . . he didn't
take Farrant away with him for nothing. [_Then he flashes out rather
shrilly._] It's Trebell's own fault. He ought not to have committed
himself definitely to any scheme until he was safely in office. I warned
him about Percival . . I warned him not to be explicit. One cannot work
with men who will make up their minds prematurely. No, I shall not
change my mind. I shall write to him.
_He goes firmly to his writing desk leaving_ CANTELUPE _forlorn_.
CANTELUPE. What about a messenger?
HORSHAM. Not at this time of night. I'll post it.
CANTELUPE. I'll post it as I go.
_He seeks comfort again in the piano and this time starts to play, with
one finger and some hesitation, the first bars of a Bach fugue._
HORSHAM'S _pen-nib is disappointing him and the letter is not easy to
phrase_.
HORSHAM. But I hate coming to immediate decisions. The administrative
part of my brain always tires after half an hour. Does yours, Charles?
CANTELUPE. What do you think Trebell will do now?
HORSHAM. [_A little grimly._] Punish us all he can.
_On reaching the second voice in the fugue_ CANTELUPE'S _virtuosity
breaks down_.
CANTELUPE. All that ability turned to destructiveness . . what a pity!
That's the paradox of human activities . .
_Suddenly_ HORSHAM _looks up and his face is lighted with a seraphic
smile_.
HORSHAM. Charles . . I wish we could do without Blackborough.
CANTELUPE. [_Struck with the idea._] Well . . why not?
HORSHAM. Yes . . I must think about it. [_They both get up, cheered
considerably._] You won't forget this, will you?
CANTELUPE. [_The letter in_ HORSHAM'S _hand accusing him_.] No . . no. I
don't think I have been the cause of your dropping Trebell, have I?
HORSHAM, _rid of the letter, is rid of responsibility and his charming
equable self again. He comforts his cousin paternally._
HORSHAM. I don't think so. The split would have come when Blackborough
checkmated my forming a cabinet. It would have pleased him to do that . .
and he could have, over Trebell. But now that question's out of the
way . . you won't get such a bad measure with Trebell in opposition.
He'll frighten us into keeping it up to the mark, so to speak.
CANTELUPE. [_A little comforted._] But I shall miss one or two of those
ideas . .
HORSHAM. [_So pleasantly sceptical._] Do you think they'd have outlasted
the second reading? Dullness in the country one expects. Dullness in the
House one can cope with. But do you know, I have never sat in a cabinet
yet that didn't greet anything like a new idea in chilling silence.
CANTELUPE. Well, I should regret to have caused you trouble, Cyril.
HORSHAM. [_His hand on the other's shoulder._] Oh . . we don't take
politics so much to heart as that, I hope.
CANTELUPE. [_With sweet gravity._] I take politics very much to heart.
Yes, I know what you mean . . but that's the sort of remark that makes
people call you cynical. [HORSHAM _smiles as if at a compliment and
starts with_ CANTELUPE _towards the door_. CANTELUPE, _who would not
hurt his feelings, changes the subject_.] By the bye, I'm glad we met
this evening! Do you hear Aunt Mary wants to sell the Burford Holbein?
Can she?
HORSHAM. [_Taking as keen, but no keener, an interest in this than in
the difficulty he has just surmounted._] Yes, by the will she can, but
she mustn't. Dear me, I thought I'd put a stop to that foolishness. Well
now, we must take that matter up very seriously. . .
_They go out talking arm in arm._