FARRANT. Did you expect Percival's objection to the finance of the scheme?
HORSHAM. Perhaps ... perhaps. I knew Trebell was to see him last Tuesday. I
expect everybody's objections to any parts of every scheme to come at a time
when I am in a proper position to reconcile them ... not now.
_Having vented his grievances he sits down to recover._ BLACKBOROUGH
_takes advantage of the ensuing pause._
BLACKBOROUGH. It isn't so easy for me to speak against Trebell, since he
evidently dislikes me personally as much as I dislike him ... but I'm sure
I'm doing my duty. Horsham ... here you have Cantelupe who won't stand in
with the man, and Percival who won't stand in with his measure, while I
would sooner stand in with neither. Isn't it better to face the situation
now than take trouble to form the most makeshift of Cabinets, and if that
doesn't go to pieces, be voted down in the House by your own party?
_There is an oppressive silence,_ HORSHAM _is sulky. The matter is
beyond_ FARRANT. CANTELUPE _whose agonies have expressed themselves in
slight writhings, at last, with an effort, writhes himself to his
feet._
CANTELUPE. I think I am prepared to reconsider my decision.
FARRANT. That's all right then!
_He looks round wonderingly for the rest of the chorus to find that
neither_ BLACKBOROUGH _nor_ HORSHAM _have stirred.
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