Business done.—­Tithe Bill still on Report stage.

Tuesday.—­Met JOHN MORLEY in corridor just now walking along with long stride and troubled countenance.  “What’s the matter?” I asked.  “Is the French Revolution still troubling you, or are you in fresh difficulties On Compromise?”

“No, dear TOBY,” he said; “like MARTHA, I am troubled with none of these things.  The fact is, I am pining for opportunity to give battle to BALFOUR in the matter of his Government of Ireland.  You remember I tabled notice of a Motion on the matter as soon as the House met in November.  Then I was so anxious, so absorbed in the subject, that I forgot all about it till Brer FOX and Brer RABBIT appeared on the scene, and bid against each other for precedence.  Thereupon I pulled my Resolution out of pigeon-hole; reminded OLD MORALITY of my prior claim; had it admitted, and day fixed.  Should have come on last Monday, you know.  Tithes Bill in hand all last week; everybody tired of it; agree there’s really nothing in it; Opposition smouldering out; then suddenly, my Motion having been put down for Monday, interest in Tithes Bill swells; becomes absorbing.  Couldn’t possibly finish last Thursday; everyone so urgent to continue debate that House was Counted Out on Friday; yesterday was appropriated for further debate on Report stage; Thursday next is taken for Third Reading, and I’m put off till Monday.”

“And who arranged all this?” I asked, with unfeigned sympathy.

[Illustration:  Walking it Off.]

“Well, it was our fellows, you know, with assistance of Irish Members.  We are all so anxious to have it out with Prince ARTHUR that we made it impossible for debate on his iniquities to come on this week.  TIM HEALY suddenly developed personal interest in Tithes Bill.  Put down several new Clauses.  So succeeded in perhaps indefinitely deferring debate on my Resolution.  You know little, TOBY, of the thirst for battle.  It’s more exhausting than the conflict itself.  You’ll excuse me, I’ll take another turn; to walk off the restless excitement is the only hope left for me.”

And crossing his hands behind him, honest JOHN was off again, down the corridor, his red necktie gleaming in the further recesses like the lurid light of battle.

Business done.—­Tithes Bill through Report stage.

Wednesday.—­Marriage with Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill on again.  A hardy annual, carefully cultured in Commons, and regularly nipped in Lords.  The speeches to-day naturally did not present any features riotously novel.  HALL of Oxford (not the University, but the Brewery) seconded Motion for rejection of Bill.  A beautiful speech, I thought, full of touching sentiments, delivered with much unction.  His plea for the sanctity of sisterhood brought tears into eyes unused to excessive moisture.  Didn’t seem to have much to do with the Bill, but very touching.

“Like evening bells,” I said to the Member for Sark.