"To what good?
Would it restore one single life in Damascus?
Would it bind one broken heart?
Would it give light to one darkened home?
Let us have care lest we be called a nation of hypocrites.

I will neither support nor oppose the resolution presented; I will content myself with pointing the way to a greater national self-respect." Mechanically, a few people who had scarcely apprehended the full force of his remarks began to applaud; but there came cries of "'Sh! 'Sh!" and the clapping of hands suddenly stopped.

For a moment there was absolute silence, in which the chairman adjusted his glasses and fumbled with the agenda paper in his confusion, scarcely knowing what to do.

The speaker had been expected to second the resolution, and had not done so.

There was an awkward silence.