I should not dream of acting for you again, and if you think a
formal resignation necessary, I will post you one to-morrow. I am one
of your constituents, nothing more or less. But as I am in some measure
responsible for your presence here, I consider myself within my rights
in asking you these questions."
"I'm not going to be hectored!" Mr. Henslow declared.
"Nobody wants to hector you! You gave certain pledges to us, and you
have not fulfilled one of them."
"They won't let me. I'm not here as an independent Member. I'm here as
a Liberal, and Sir Henry himself struck out my proposed question and
motion. I must go with the Party."
"You know quite well," Brooks said, "that you are within your rights in
keeping the pledges you made to the mass meeting at Medchester."
Henslow shook his head.
"It would be no good," he declared. "I've sounded lots of men about it.
I myself have not changed. I believe in some measure of protection. I
am a firm believer in it. But the House wouldn't listen to me. The
times are not ripe for anything of the sort yet."
"How do you know until you try?" Brooks protested.
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