HORSHAM.  It’s the condition of Nonconformist support.

BLACKBOROUGH.  One condition.  Then you’d leave us, Trebell?

HORSHAM.  I hope not.

BLACKBOROUGH.  And carry with you the credit of our one big measure.  Consider the effect upon our reputation with the Country.

FARRANT. [Waking to BLACKBOROUGH’S line of action.] Why on earth should you leave us, Trebell?  You’ve hardly been a Liberal, even in name.

BLACKBOROUGH. [Vigorously making his point.] Then what would be the conditions of your remaining?  You’re not a party man, Trebell.  You haven’t the true party feeling.  You are to be bought.  Of course you take your price in measures, not in money.  But you are preeminently a man of ideas ... an expert.  And a man of ideas is often a grave embarrassment to a government.

HORSHAM.  And vice-versa ... vice-versa!

TREBELL. [Facing BLACKBOROUGH across the room.] Do I understand that you for the good of the Tory party ... just as Cantelupe for the good of his soul ... will refuse to sit in a cabinet with me.

BLACKBOROUGH. [Unembarrassed.] I don’t commit myself to saying that.

CANTELUPE.  No, Trebell ... it’s that I must believe your work could not prosper ... in God’s way.

      TREBELL softens to his sincerity.

TREBELL.  Cantelupe, I quite understand.  You may be right ... it’s a very interesting question.  Blackborough, I take it that you object first of all to the scheme that I’m bringing you.

BLACKBOROUGH.  I object to those parts of it which I don’t think you’ll get through the House.

FARRANT. [Feeling that he must take part.] For instance?

BLACKBOROUGH.  I’ve given you one already.

CANTELUPE. [His eye on BLACKBOROUGH.] Understand there are things in that scheme we must stand or fall by.

      Suddenly TREBELL makes for the door, HORSHAM gets up
      concernedly.

TREBELL.  Horsham, make up your mind to-night whether you can do with me or not.  I have to see Percival again to-morrow ... we cut short our argument at the important point.  Good-bye ... don’t come down.  Will you decide to-night?

HORSHAM.  I have made up my own mind.

TREBELL.  Is that sufficient?

HORSHAM.  A collective decision is a matter of development.

TREBELL.  Well, I shall expect to hear.

HORSHAM.  By hurrying one only reaches a rash conclusion.

TREBELL.  Then be rash for once and take the consequences.  Good-night.

      He is gone before HORSHAM can compose another epigram.

BLACKBOROUGH. [Deprecating such conduct.] Lost his temper!

FARRANT. [Ruffling considerably.] Horsham, if Trebell is to be hounded out of your cabinet ... he won’t go alone.

HORSHAM. [Bitter-sweet.] My dear Farrant ...  I have yet to form my cabinet.