Mr Pilbury said "he'd withdraw his grandmother," and attempted to
continue his speech, when Fairbairn rose and suggested to the hon.
member that if he would only wait a bit the House would be delighted to
hear him. After this conciliatory advice Pilbury let himself be pulled
down into his seat by his admirers, and the debate on Game's amendment
continued.
It was hot and exciting. The arguments were mostly on the side of the
schoolhouse, and the vehemence on the side of Parrett's. Once or twice
a Welcher dropped in a speech, attacking both parties and once or twice
a schoolhouse boy spoke in favour of Bloomfield, or a Parrett's boy
spoke in favour of Riddell. At last, after about an hour's angry
debate, the House divided. That is, all those in favour of Game's
amendment moved over to one side of the room, and those against it to
the other, and those who did not want to vote at all kept their seats in
the middle.
There was no need to count the numbers of the rival parties as they
stood. Only about twenty-five stood beside Fairbairn and the
schoolhouse, while nearly two hundred and fifty boys crowded the side of
the room along which Game and his followers took their stand. The
triumph of the opponents to the new captain was complete, and the school
had given him and the head master a most emphatic reply to the late
appointment.
Riddell would have much preferred to be allowed to withdraw of his own
accord rather than remain to be beaten. But his friends had all opposed
the idea as cowardly, and he had given in to them. He now took his
defeat very placidly, and even joined in the laughter which greeted Mr
Isaac's call.
"Now, Mr Pilbury!"
Mr Pilbury was "off his speech." If he had been allowed to proceed
when he first rose, he had the steam up and could have let out, as he
told his friends; but now the spirit had been taken out of him.
However, he was compelled to make an effort, and began as before, "Sir,
it is time the Welchers had a word."
He didn't mean anything funny, he was certain, but everybody laughed.
"Why shouldn't old Cusack here--" ("Order, order")--"What's the row?"
Isaacs informed the hon. gentleman that members of that House were
always called "Mr"
"Mr Cusack, then," said Pilbury, "it's just a dodge of Ikey to floor me
in my speech. Why shouldn't old Mr Cusack-- Eh, what say?"
This was addressed to Philpot, who was eagerly trying to prompt his
ally.
"Go it, let out at them," he whispered.
"Why shouldn't old Mr Cusack go it and let out--that is--all right,
Philpot, you pig, I'll pay you out, see if I don't. Why shouldn't old
Mr Cusack, gentlemen--er--"
"Do," suggested Cusack himself.
"Do," shouted Pilbury, "do, gentlemen--do? Why shouldn't--(all right,
Gus Telson, I see you chucking darts)--why shouldn't old Mr Cusack--"
"Does any gentleman second the amendment?" asked Mr Isaacs, evidently
getting hungry and anxious to be released from his post.
"Yes," shouted Philpot, "Mr Gentlemen, yes, I do--and--"
"Wait a bit, you howling cad," exclaimed Pilbury, in excitement. "I've
not done yet!"
"Mr Philpot!" said Mr Isaacs.
"Philpot be blowed," cried the irate Pilbury, "wait till I'm done."
"Order, order," shouted members on all sides.
"Moved by Mr Pilbury, seconded by Mr Philpot," began Isaacs.
"Easy all," cried Philpot, "I've not spoken yet."
"Order, order," cried Isaacs.
"Order yourself," retorted Philpot, "I've got a right to speak."
"So have I," said Pilbury, "and I was up first."
"Forge away," said Philpot, "you'll be all right."
"Nothing to do with you if I _am_ all right," snarled Pilbury.
"You seem to think you're the only fellow can talk."
"Ays to the right, noes to the left," said Isaacs, in a loud voice.
The House instantly divided, and before either Pilbury or Philpot could
make up their minds about proceeding, the motion had been declared lost
by a majority of three hundred odd to one.
In a great state of wrath the injured Welchers left the hall, making as
much noise as they possibly could in doing so.
As soon as they were gone, Isaacs put the question that Bloomfield be
elected Speaker, and this was carried without a division, the
schoolhouse fellows not caring to demand one.
Amid loud and long-continued cheers the new Speaker took his seat, and
as soon as silence could be restored, said, "I'm much obliged to you all
for your vote. I hope Willoughby won't go down. I'll try to prevent it
for one. (Loud cheers.) I'm very proud to be elected your Speaker, and
feel it quite as much honour as if I was captain of the school." (Loud
cries of "So you are!"--from Parrett's.) "In reference to what one
gentleman said about me, I hope you won't believe it. I'm twelfth in
classics. (Laughter from the schoolhouse and terrific applause from
Parrett's.) That's all I have to say."
The remaining business of the afternoon was dull compared with what had
gone before. The elections for the various posts in the Government did
not excite very much enthusiasm, especially among the juniors, who
deserted the meeting soon after they began. After what had occurred it
is hardly to be wondered at that the partisans of Bloomfield and the
Parretts had the matter pretty much in their own hands, and used it to
their own advantage. When the list was finally declared, it was found
that only one schoolhouse fellow, Porter, had a place in the "Cabinet."
He was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. Game was First Lord of
the Admiralty, Wibberly, War Secretary, Ashley, Home Secretary, and
Strutter, a comparatively obscure boy, Premier. All these, as well as
the other officers appointed, were Parrett's fellows, who may have
flattered themselves their election was a simple recognition of merit in
each case, but who, taken altogether, were a long way off being the most
distinguished boys of Willoughby.
Parliament did not adjourn till a late hour that evening, and no one was
particularly sorry when it did.