human
Tallente, he said,
gpt
I suppose you mean to break us?
human
I thought we'd been rather friendly, was the quiet reply.
gpt
We've been letting you have your own way for nearly a month.
human
That is simply because we are on work which we are tackling practically in the fashion you dictated, Horlock pointed out.
gpt
When we have finished this Irish business, what are you going to do?
human
I am not the leader of the party,
gpt
From a parliamentary point of view you are, was the impatient protest.
human
Dartrey is a dreamer. He might even have dreamed away his opportunities if you hadn't come along. Miller would never have handled the House as you have. Miller was made to create factions. You were made to coalesce, to smooth over difficulties, to bring men of opposite points of view into the same camp. You are a genius at it, Tallente. Six months ago I was only afraid of the Democrats. Now I dread them. Shall I tell you what it is that worries me most?
gpt
If you think it wise.
human
Your absence of programme. Why don't you say what you want to do--give us some idea of how far you are going to carry your tenets? Are we to have the anarchy of Bolshevists or the socialism of Marx,--a red flag republic or a classical dictatorship?
gpt
We are not out for anarchy, at all events, Tallente assured him,
human
You mean to upset the Constitution?
gpt
Speaking officially, I do not know. Speaking to you as a fellow politician, I should say that sooner or later some changes are desirable.
human
You'll never get away from party government.
gpt
Perhaps not, but I dare say we can find machinery to prevent the house of Commons being used for a debating society.
human
The old gang will commit suicide, he declared.
gpt
If they aren't allowed to spout, they'll either wither or die. Old man Lethbridge's monthly attacks of high-minded patriotism are the only things that keep him alive.
human
I don't fancy, Tallente remarked,
gpt
What the mischief are your principles?
human
No doubt Dartrey would enlighten you, if you chose to go to him, was the indifferent reply.
gpt
Within the course of the next few months we shall launch our thunderbolt. You will know then what we claim for the people.
human
Hang the people! Horlock exclaimed.
gpt
I've legislated for them myself until I'm sick of it. They're never grateful.
human
Perhaps you confine yourself too much to one class, Tallente observed drily.
gpt
As a rule, the less intelligent the voter, the more easily he is caught by flashy legislation.
human
The operative pure and simple, Horlock announced,
gpt
Then we shall fail and you will continue to be Prime Minister.
human
Lethbridge has heard that you two are here together and he is on your track. Better separate.
gpt
Have you any personal feeling against me, Tallente?
human
None whatever, his companion assured him.
gpt
You did me the best turn in your life when you left me stranded after Hellesfield.
human
Lethbridge almost insisted, he looked upon you as a firebrand. He said there would be no repose about a Cabinet with you in it.
gpt
Well, it's turned out for the best, Tallente remarked drily.
human
Au revoir!
gpt
One moment, Tallente. Lady Alice Mountgarron has asked me to present you.
human
I seem to have heard so much of you from my sister Jane, she said.
gpt
You are neighbours in Devonshire, aren't you?
human
Neighbours from a Devon man's point of view, he answered.
gpt
I live half-way down a precipice, and she five miles away, at the back of a Stygian moor, and incidentally a thousand feet above me.
human
You seem to have surmounted such geographical obstacles.
gpt
Your sister's friendship is worth greater efforts,
human
I wish that some of you could persuade her to come to town occasionally, she said.
gpt
Jane is a perfect dear, of course, and I know she does a great deal of good down there, but I can't help thinking sometimes that she is a little wasted. Life must now and then be dreary for her. Tallente seemed for a moment to be looking through the walls of the room.
human
We are all made differently. Lady Jane is very self-reliant and Devonshire is one of those counties which have a curiously strong local hold.
gpt
But when her moors and her farms are under snow, and Woolhanger is wreathed in mists, and one hears nothing except the moaning of animals in distress, what about the local attraction then?
human
You speak feelingly, Tallente observed, smiling.
gpt
I spent a fortnight with Jane last winter, she explains.
human
I had some idea of hunting. Never again! Only I miss Jane. She is such a dear and I don't see half enough of her.
gpt
I saw her yesterday, Tallente said reminiscently.
human
This morning she told me she was going to ride out to inspect for herself the farm of the one black sheep amongst her tenants. I looked out towards Woolhanger as I came up in the train. It seemed like a miasma of driven snow and mists.
gpt
Every one to his tastes, Lady Alice observed, as she turned away with a friendly little nod.
human
I have just an idea, however, that this morning's excursion was a little too much even for Jane.
gpt
What do you mean? Tallente asked eagerly. Lady Alice looked at him over the top of her fan. She was a woman of instinct.
human
I had a telegram from her just before I came out, she said.
gpt
There wasn't much in it, but it gave me an idea that after all perhaps she is thinking of a short visit to town. Come and see me, Mr. Tallente, won't you? I live in Mount Street--Number 17. My husband used to play cricket with you, I think.
human
Unprotected and alone in the gilded halls of the enemy! the newcomer exclaimed.
gpt
Come and have a drink. By the by, you look as though you'd had good news.
human
I have,
gpt
Then we'll drink to it--Mum'll. Not bad stuff. This way.