em in order that the members of the Upper House--

THE SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for the Department of Annexation.

MR. BLISTER (Battersea, Mid): Mr. Speaker, though I don't do any work
myself, I'm the representative of labor, only those contemptible skunks,
the workingmen, don't see that they have a man for a leader--a
man, that's me--that's Joe Blister. And as the Upper House has been
introduced, I'll run, eat, or swear with the best of that lot of
tap-room loafers; I'll do anything but fight them--except, of course, on
a labor platform, and if--

THE SPEAKER: The honorable member is out of order. The Minister for the
Department of Annexations.

THE MINISTER FOR ANNEXATIONS: No, sir; I have no information [Cheers and
laughter.]

The House then went into Committee of Supply.

CHAPTER XV.

BUT MR. COURTLAND----AH, NEVER MIND!

Mr. Ayrton entertained his daughter with a description of the scene
in the House incidental to the annihilation of Mr. Apthomas. He rather
thought himself that his counter-question had been neat. He had been
congratulated on it by quite a number of his friends in the tea room,
and six messages had been delivered to him by representatives of the
press to the effect that if he could provide them with the exact text of
his counter-question they would be greatly obliged.

"They mean to report it in full?" said Phyllis. She had an ample
experience of the decimation of his questions as well as speeches by the
members of the press gallery. They had reduced it to a science.

"I am much mistaken if they don't comment on it as well," said her
father. "Poor Apthomas! he alone sat glum and mute while everyone around
him was convulsed."

"I hope that Mr. Courtland will not feel hurt at what has occurred,"
said Phyllis doubtfully.

"Mr. Courtland? Who is Mr. Courtland? What has Mr. Courtland to say to
the matter? What business is it of his, I should like to know."

"Well, considering that he was the original subject of the questions,
though I must confess that he didn't remain long so, I don't think it
altogether unreasonable to wonder what he will think about the whole
episode," remarked Phyllis.

"Ah, you always do take an original view of such incidents," said
her father indulgently. "It is so like a woman to try and drag poor
Courtland into the business. You ought to know better than to fancy
that any interest attaches to the original subject of a question in the
House. You'll be su