Much Ado About SomethingLawrence, C. E. (Charles Edward)
Science
Much Ado About Something
Lawrence, C. E. (Charles Edward)
England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction; Fairies -- Fiction
"The noble lord," said Mr. Speaker, in his most conciliatory and
compelling manner, "is so young a member of the House that he merits
every indulgence; but I must remind him that to interrupt an honourable
member in any other way than by rising to a point of order is a serious
breach of the procedure and order of this House."
Geoffrey had, of course, resumed his seat immediately the Speaker rose;
but, authority having spoken, the crown would no more let him sit still,
acquiescent, than it had allowed any of its human wearers to remain
their normal selves. He rose again.
A tornado of cries of "Order!" greeted Geoffrey’s further involuntary
breach of obedience.
June flew across to the Speaker.
Old Parliamentary hands turned to look at their new colleague. His
further breach of order was done with perfect manner. There was no
shouting vulgarity about his interruption, but a definite purpose,
pleasantly expressed. They rapidly summed him up. He was well-looking,
well-dressed, good House-of-Commons form, yet with a refreshing look of
determination in his eyes. Far within themselves the veterans began to
admire and to wonder. Geoffrey’s début, they felt, was full of promise;
it marked a man of the future as surely as the Hartington yawn had done.
"He will do," they said; "impudence and brains." That was their verdict
in the beginning. Shrewd were those front-benchers, but they did not
quite know Geoffrey.
"May I apologize, Mr. Speaker, and explain----"
"I decline to give way," declared the important person whose pomposity
and portentous drivel had provoked the elves’ interruption.
"’Vide! ’vide!" cried a Labour man, merely in mischief.
June kissed the Speaker. Without blushing, yet with perfect grace and
modesty, in the interests of true progress, she kissed him; while Bim,
lying full length along the top of his wig, pressed the wand against his
forehead, and willed him to do as the fairies required. Could any man
successfully resist such powers? No! Even the first of Commoners could
not.
The Speaker, as he stood waiting to deliver judgment, knew he was,
though dazed through the brightness, even clearer-headed than usual. He
was on the awesome edge of a precedent. He wondered how the decision
then to be given would be received; ordinarily it would have filled the
House with amazement, but the earlier inoculation with magic had already
begun to take effect. The Speaker was aware of strange powers and
presences about him.
The person of pompous prose, realizing that his dignity was endangered,
again cried a protest; but he was so far away from the sympathies of his
fellow-members--he had bored them so severely--that with clamour they
shouted him down. Thanks to the fairies, every single member in that
House hurled "Order!" at him.
Though technically quite in order, he was forced to subside. He felt
badly treated; he was badly treated: and serve him jolly well right!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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