But the House was not in a mood to stand any more nonsense.

Mr.Chamberlain and Mr.Lowther, and the rest of the obstructive gang, had to submit to have the vote taken.

In the meantime there stood the business of the country to be done.

All its needs, its pressing grievances, its vast chorus of sighs and wails from wasted lives--rose up and called for justice; but tricksters, and self-seekers, and horse-jockeys stopped the way.
[Sidenote: Carlton Club echoes.] There were signs of the meeting at the Carlton when the House met on Thursday evening, March 9th.

The Tory benches were crowded; the young bloods were fuller than ever of that self-consciousness to which I have adverted, and there were signs of movement, excitement, and the spirit of mischief and evil in all their faces and in their general demeanour.
There were nearly one hundred questions on the paper--and questions had become a most effective weapon of Obstruction.