Our need is of statesmen who are bold enough
and strong enough to cast off the restraints of party, of imbecile
fears, of words that answer to no reality, and legislate with honest
zeal for the general good. How many men are there in Parliament who
represent anything more respectable than the interest of a trade, or
a faction, or their own bloated person?"
"This would rouse the echoes in an East-end club," interposed
Glazzard, with an air of good-humoured jesting.
"The difference is, my dear fellow, that it is given as an honest
opinion in a private dining-room. There's Welwyn-Baker now--
thick-headed old jackass!--what right has _he_ to be sitting in a
national assembly? Call himself what he may, it's clearly our
business to get rid of _him_. There's something infuriating in the
thought that such a man can give his hee-haw for or against a
proposal that concerns the nation. His mere existence is a lie!"
"He has hardly progressed with the times," assented Glazzard.
Lilian was listening so attentively that she forgot her dinner.
"I didn't think you cared so much about politics," she remarked,
gravely.
"Oh, it comes out now and then. I suppose Glazzard's aesthetic
neutrality stirs me up."
"I am neither aesthetic nor neutral," remarked the guest, as if
casually.
Denzil laughed.
Lilian, after waiting for a further declaration from Glazzard, which
did not come, said, in her soft tones:
"You express yourself so vehemently, Denzil.
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