It may be imagined,--probably still is imagined by a great
many,--that no such pledge as this could be given, that the right to
speak depends simply on the Speaker's eye, and that energy at the
moment in attracting attention would alone be of account to an eager
orator. But Phineas knew the House too well to trust to such a
theory. That some preliminary assistance would be given to the
travelling of the Speaker's eye, in so important a debate, he knew
very well; and he knew also that a promise from Barrington Erle or
from Mr. Ratler would be his best security. "That will be all right,
of course," said Barrington Erle to him on the evening the day before
the debate: "We have quite counted on your speaking." There had been
a certain sullenness in the tone with which Phineas had asked his
question as though he had been labouring under a grievance, and he
felt himself rebuked by the cordiality of the reply. "I suppose we
had better fix it for Monday or Tuesday," said the other. "We hope
to get it over by Tuesday, but there is no knowing.
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