More.  But I do.  I can’t betray the dignity and courage of public men.  If popular opinion is to control the utterances of her politicians, then good-bye indeed to this country!

Banning.  Come now!  I won’t say that your views weren’t sound enough before the fighting began.  I’ve never liked our policy out there.  But our blood’s being spilled; and that makes all the difference.  I don’t suppose they’d want me exactly, but I’d be ready to go myself.  We’d all of us be ready.  And we can’t have the man that represents us talking wild, until we’ve licked these fellows.  That’s it in a nutshell.

More.  I understand your feeling, Banning.  I tender you my resignation.  I can’t and won’t hold on where I’m not wanted.

Banning.  No, no, no!  Don’t do that! [His accent broader and broader] You’ve ’ad your say, and there it is.  Coom now!  You’ve been our Member nine years, in rain and shine.

Shelder.  We want to keep you, More.  Come!  Give us your promise —­that’s a good man!

More.  I don’t make cheap promises.  You ask too much.

     [There is silence, and they all look at more.]

Shelder.  There are very excellent reasons for the Government’s policy.

More.  There are always excellent reasons for having your way with the weak.

Shelder.  My dear More, how can you get up any enthusiasm for those cattle-lifting ruffians?

More.  Better lift cattle than lift freedom.

Shelder.  Well, all we’ll ask is that you shouldn’t go about the country, saying so.

More.  But that is just what I must do.

     [Again they all look at more in consternation.]

Home.  Not down our way, you’ll pardon me.

Wace.  Really—­really, sir——­

Shelder.  The time of crusades is past, More.

More.  Is it?

Banning.  Ah! no, but we don’t want to part with you, Mr. More.  It’s a bitter thing, this, after three elections.  Look at the ’uman side of it!  To speak ill of your country when there’s been a disaster like this terrible business in the Pass.  There’s your own wife.  I see her brother’s regiment’s to start this very afternoon.  Come now—­how must she feel?

     More breaks away to the bay window.  The deputation exchange
     glances.

More. [Turning] To try to muzzle me like this—­is going too far.

Banning.  We just want to put you out of temptation.

More.  I’ve held my seat with you in all weathers for nine years.  You’ve all been bricks to me.  My heart’s in my work, Banning; I’m not eager to undergo political eclipse at forty.

Shelder.  Just so—­we don’t want to see you in that quandary.