This elicited from Mr.Sexton the retort that he need not make any appeal to the Irish Benches after the "grossly rude" allusion he had made to the Irish people.

On this there was a mild hubbub on the Tory Benches.

The House was very thin and very listless, and really not in the mood to take anything very tragically.

But Mr.Sexton resolutely refused to withdraw unless Mr.
Brodrick gave the example.

Mr.Mellor then--acting somewhat precipitately--ruled that Mr.Sexton was out of order, and should withdraw his words.
[Sidenote: Mr.Sexton defies the chair.] This created a new situation.