MRS. G. But the General Election will.

MORLEY.  Perhaps one will—­in another seven years or so.

MRS. G. But isn’t there to be one this year?

MORLEY (gravely).  The Cabinet has decided against it.

MRS. G. But Mr. Morley!  Now the Lords have thrown out the Irish Bill there must be an election.

MORLEY.  That was Mr. Gladstone’s view.

MRS. G. Wasn’t it yours, too?

MORLEY.  Yes; but we couldn’t—­we couldn’t carry the others.

MRS. G. Then you mean Mr. Gladstone is going to form a new Cabinet?

MORLEY.  No.  A new Cabinet is going to be formed, but he will not be in it. 
That is his resolution.  I was to tell you.

(At this news of the downfall of her hopes the gentle face becomes piteously woeful; full of wonder also.)

MRS. G. He asked you—­to tell me that!

MORLEY.  Yes.

MRS. G. Oh!  Then he really means it!  Had he been in any doubt he would have consulted me.

(Tears have now come to sustain the dear lady in her sense of desolation.  Mr. Morley, with quiet philosophy, does his best to give comfort.)

MORLEY.  It was the only thing to do.  Ireland kept him in politics; if that goes, he goes with it.

MRS. G. But Ireland—­doesn’t go.

MORLEY.  As the cause for a General Election it goes, I’m afraid.

MRS. G. But that isn’t honest, Mr. Morley!

MORLEY.  I agree.

MRS. G. And it won’t do any good—­not in the end.

MORLEY.  To that also, I agree.  Ireland remains; and the problem will get worse.

MRS. G. But, indeed, you are wrong, Mr. Morley!  It was not Ireland that kept my husband in politics; it was Mr. Chamberlain.

MORLEY.  That is a view which, I confess, had not occurred to me. 
Chamberlain?

MRS. G. No one could have kept Mr. Chamberlain from leading the Liberal party, except Mr. Gladstone.  And now he never will!

MORLEY.  That, certainly, is a triumph, of a kind.  You think that influenced him?  Chamberlain was a friend of mine once—­is still, in a way. (He pauses, then adds ruefully) Politics are a cruel game!

(He sighs and sits depressed.  But mention of her husband’s great antagonist has made the old lady brisk again.)

MRS. G. Do you know, Mr. Morley, that if Mr. Gladstone had not made me pray for that man every night of my life, I should positively have hated him.

MORLEY (with a touch of mischief).  You do that?—­still?  Tell me—­(I am curious)—­do you pray for him as plain “Joe Chamberlain,” or do you put in the “Mister”?

MRS. G. I never mention his name at all; I leave that to Providence—­to be understood.

MORLEY.  Well, it has been understood, and answered—­abundantly; Chamberlain’s star is in the ascendant again.  It’s strange; he and Mr. Gladstone never really got on together.