When I spoke
the other night it was not without a certain feeling here. [He
touches his heart.]

BANNING. But your attitude's so sudden--you'd not been going that
length when you were down with us in May.

MORE. Do me the justice to remember that even then I was against our
policy. It cost me three weeks' hard struggle to make up my mind to
that speech. One comes slowly to these things, Banning.

SHELDER. Case of conscience?

MORE. Such things have happened, Shelder, even in politics.

SHELDER. You see, our ideals are naturally low--how different from
yours!

[MORE smiles.]

KATHERINE, who has drawn near her husband, moves back again, as
if relieved at this gleam of geniality. WACE rubs his hands.

BANNING. There's one thing you forget, sir. We send you to
Parliament, representing us; but you couldn't find six men in the
whole constituency that would have bidden you to make that speech.

MORE. I'm sorry; but I can't help my convictions, Banning.

SHELDER. What was it the prophet was without in his own country?

BANNING. Ah! but we're not funning, Mr. More. I've never known
feeling run so high. The sentiment of both meetings was dead against
you. We've had showers of letters to headquarters. Some from very
good men--very warm friends of yours.

SHELDER. Come now! It's not too late. Let's go back and tell them
you won't do it again.

MORE. Muzzling order?

BANNING. [Bluntly] That's about it.

MORE. Give up my principles to save my Parliamentary skin. Then,
indeed, they might call me a degenerate! [He touches the newspapers
on the table.]

KATHERINE makes an abrupt and painful movement, then remains as
still as before, leaning against the corner of the window-seat.

BANNING. Well, Well! I know. But we don't ask you to take your
words back--we only want discretion in the future.

MORE. Conspiracy of silence! And have it said that a mob of
newspapers have hounded me to it.

BANNING. They won't say that of you.

SHELDER. My dear More, aren't you rather dropping to our level?
With your principles you ought not to care two straws what people
say.

MORE. But I do. I can't betray the dignity and courage of public
men. If popular opinion is to control the utterances of her
politicians, then good-bye indeed to this country!

BANNING. Come now! I won't say that your views weren't sound enough
before the fighting began. I've never liked ou