CHAPTER XVIII.
IRELAND'S CHARTER THROUGH.
[Sidenote: A dull beginning.] Insipidity, weariness, and dulness marked the commencement of the concluding week of the Home Rule Bill in the House.

There was no private business on the Monday, and accordingly for nearly a quarter of an hour--it seemed infinitely longer to the little group of members present--the House sat in sedate and solemn silence.

Then commenced questions, and in a moment half-a-dozen members were buzzing with gnat-like pertinacity about the impassive figure of the Postmaster-General.

Mr.Arnold Morley was continually on his legs.

For instance, Mr.Bousfield wanted to know what rule there was which forbade Post Office employes to approach the House of Commons directly, or to sign a petition to the House with reference to any grievance, after having unsuccessfully petitioned the Postmaster-General.