BROADBENT [collecting himself for a political deliverance]. Well, you know, Mr Doyle, there's a strong dash of Toryism in the Irish character. Larry himself says that the great Duke of Wellington was the most typical Irishman that ever lived. Of course that's an absurd paradox; but still there's a great deal of truth in it. Now I am a Liberal. You know the great principles of the Liberal party. Peace-- FATHER DEMPSEY [piously]. Hear! hear! BROADBENT [encouraged]. Thank you. Retrenchment--[he waits for further applause]. MATTHEW [timidly]. What might rethrenchment mane now? BROADBENT. It means an immense reduction in the burden of the rates and taxes. MATTHEW [respectfully approving]. Dhats right. Dhats right, sir. BROADBENT [perfunctorily]. And, of course, Reform. CORNELIUS } FATHER DEMPSEY} [conventionally]. Of course. DORAN } MATTHEW [still suspicious]. Hwat does Reform mane, sir? Does it mane altherin annythin dhats as it is now? BROADBENT [impressively]. It means, Mr Haffigan, maintaining those reforms which have already been conferred on humanity by the Liberal Party, and trusting for future developments to the free activity of a free people on the basis of those reforms. DORAN. Dhat's right. No more meddlin. We're all right now: all we want is to be let alone. CORNELIUS. Hwat about Home Rule? BROADBENT [rising so as to address them more imposingly]. I really cannot tell you what I feel about Home Rule without using the language of hyperbole. DORAN. Savin Fadher Dempsey's presence, eh? BROADBENT [not understanding him] Quite so--er--oh yes. All I can say is that as an Englishman I blush for the Union. It is the blackest stain on our national history. I look forward to the time-and it cannot be far distant, gentlemen, because Humanity is looking forward to it too, and insisting on it with no uncertain voice--I look forward to the time when an Irish legislature shall arise once more on the emerald pasture of College Green, and the Union Jack--that detestable symbol of a decadent Imperialism--be replaced by a flag as green as the island over which it waves--a flag on which we shall ask for England only a modest quartering in memory of our great party and of the immortal name of our grand old leader. DORAN [enthusiastically]. Dhat's the style, begob! [He smites his knee, and winks at Mat]. MATTHEW. More power to you, Sir!