tested that nothing had happened. The public events
of those days were simple enough. While Lord Mulross's ankle
approached convalescence, the hives of politics were humming with
rumours. Vennard's speech had dissolved his party into its parent
elements, and the Opposition, as nonplussed as the Government, did not
dare as yet to claim the recruit. Consequently he was left alone till
he should see fit to take a further step. He refused to be
interviewed, using blasphemous language about our free Press; and
mercifully he showed no desire to make speeches. He went down to golf
at Littlestone, and rarely showed himself in the House. The earnest
young reformer seemed to have adopted not only the creed but the habits
of his enemies.

Mr. Cargill's was a hard case. He returned from Oldham, delighted with
himself and full of fight, to find awaiting him an urgent message from
the Prime Minister. His chief was sympathetic and kindly. He had long
noticed that the Home Secretary looked fagged and ill. There was no
Home Office Bill very pressing, and his assistance in general debate
could be dispensed with for a little. Let him take a fortnight's
holiday--fish, golf, yacht--the Prime Minister was airily suggestive.
In vain Mr. Cargill declared he was perfectly well. His chief gently
but firmly overbore him, and insisted on sending him his own doctor.
That eminent specialist, having been well coached, was vaguely
alarming, and insisted on a change. Then Mr. Cargill began to suspect,
and asked the Prime Minister point-blank if he objected to his Oldham
speech. He was told that there was no objection--a little strong meat,
perhaps, for Young Liberals, a little daring, but full of Mr. Cargill's
old intellectual power. Mollified and reassured, the Home Secretary
agreed to a week's absence, and departed for a little salmon-fishing in
Scotland. His wife had meantime been taken into the affair, and
privately assured by the Prime Minister that she would greatly ease the
mind of the Cabinet if she could induce her husband to take a longer
holiday--say three weeks. She promised to do her best and to keep her
instructions secret, and the Cargills duly departed for the North. "In
a fortnight," said the Prime Minister to my aunt, "he will have
forgotten all this nonsense; but of course we shall have to watch him
very carefully in the future."

The Press was given its cue, and announced that Mr. Cargill had spoken
at Oldham wh