It was impossible for him to hear more than that one word "suspicion"; but at that word he pricked up his ears, and while he was still walking to his place--before he had seated himself--"Hear, hear," he cried.

His eagerness would not let him wait till he had taken his seat.

His absolute absorption in the Bill before the House was so complete that, as he walked to his seat, you could see the rapt and concentrated look, which showed that, even during the few minutes he had been away, the brain had never left for one second its absorbing theme.
[Sidenote: The consolations of old age.] But--as I have indicated--this complete subjugation of temper which Mr.
Gladstone has achieved, has its disadvantages when such a conflict is provoked as that with Mr.Chamberlain on the article in the _Daily News_.

Mr.Gladstone himself spoke of the consolations of old age; there is one consolation he did not mention.

His absorption in the Bill and the slight deafness in one of his ears do not allow him to perceive so plainly the rude noises and interruptions by which he is often assailed from the Tory Benches.