If these points were conceded, agreement, he thought, should be possible.
On the whole, as discussion grew franker and more business-like, relations improved.

There were small passages at arms, but these only served to show how strong was the general desire for harmony.

One of my colleagues said that he did not know what to make of a political assembly where everyone applauded when you got up, and applauded when you sat down, and never interrupted you.

Another said that the Convention was the only society in Ireland from which one always came away cheered up: and this was so generally felt that an Ulster speaker reminded us that the atmosphere of our proceedings was pleasant but exceptional.

He warned us to remember that, even if we agreed, either side might be repudiated.