He tore his speech to pieces with a fierce, but icy,gusto. A wee bit weak in his short game still, but thatll improve. The Prime Ministerthought it necessary to rise at once, but he had a poor audience. He wasgiving no quarter, and there was vitriol on his swords point. The Leader of the Opposition was asmuch taken by surprise as anybody. Youre as certain to win as that the sun will rise tomorrow. There was very little applause, for membersseemed to be spell-bound. Terribly high-strung people, said Folliot. I fancy that was one of the family traits. That is why I wonder ifthis young man will last the course. But Goodeve here used to splash about something awful. Then Folliot said a thing which gave me some respect for hisintelligence. He was due back in Town from the cruise on thetwentieth, and we arranged to dine together. You must bluff your confounded premonitions. Then he seemedto make an effort to pull himself together. If weget bad weather, so much the better, for Im a rotten sailor. For Iwatched Goodeve labouring to follow my advice and dismally failing. I have never seen the House hushed forso long. He died only a year or two ago, I put in. He wasgiving no quarter, and there was vitriol on his swords point. Theres nothing much wrong with your health, I put in. Hence thecomfortable fortune of your young friend. Being with Chatto takes me out of myself. Hes a Glasgow wine merchant, who was a keenTerritorial, and commanded a battalion in the War. When I asked about his plans he said he had none. I missed none of his speeches, and with each my heart grew heavier. For a moment there was alarm in his eyes. Chatto, no doubt, thoughtit a tribute to his charms, and being a simple soul, he returnedit. Theresno doubt about the brains, and they tell me he can put the stuffacross. Havent got any, I shall take my chance when it comes. For Iwatched Goodeve labouring to follow my advice and dismally failing. He hada few slips of paper in his hand, and that hand did not shake. My one doubt iswhether he will stay the course. I told himthat he had done a thing which was new in the history ofParliament.