He had not much above half done yet. There were the lawyers before
him, and the Civil Service, and the railways, and the commerce of
the country, and the labouring classes. But Lord Drummond and
others near him were becoming terrified, thinking that something
worse might occur unless an end was put to the proceedings. Then a
superintendent of police came in and whispered to his Lordship. A
crowd was collecting itself in Piccadilly and St. James Street, and
perhaps the Senator had better be withdrawn. The officer did not
think that he could safely answer for the consequences if this were
carried on for a quarter of an hour longer. Then Lord Drummond
having meditated for a moment, touched the Senator's arm and
suggested a withdrawal into a side room for a minute. "Mr.
Gotobed," he said, "a little feeling has been excited and we had
better put an end to this for the present."
"Put an end to it?"
"I am afraid we must. The police are becoming alarmed."
"Oh, of course; you know best. In our country a man is allowed to
express himself unless he utters either blasphemy or calumny. But I
am in your hands and of course you must do as you please." Then he
sat down in a corner, and wiped his brows. Lord Drummond returned
to the hall, and there endeavoured to explain that the lecture was
over for that night.
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