BLACKBOROUGH. That's a quibble. [_Poor_ HORSHAM _gasps._] I'm not going to pretend either now or in a month's time that I think Trebell anything but a most dangerous acquisition to the party. I pay you a compliment in that, Trebell. Now, Horsham proposes that we should go to the country when Disestablishment's through. 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.