be trying to sit
on us, but we made up our minds we won't be sat on! (Prolonged cheers.)
I've not begun my speech yet--(laughter)--and I don't mean to till you
hold your rows!"

Here there were loud cries of "Order" from various parts of the House,
which, however, only served to inspirit the speaker, who proceeded at
the top of his voice, "It's no use your going on like that. (I say, you
chaps," added he, turning round to his companions, "back me up, I'm
getting husky.) You think we're a lot of fools--"

("We're a lot of fools!" chimed in the chorus, by way of backing up
their orator.)

"But we're not as green as we look!"

("Green as we look!")

"You all seem to think it funny!"

("Think it funny!")

"But you needn't think you'll shut _us_ up!"

("Shut us up!")

Here another attempt was made on the part of the chairman to reduce the
meeting to order. Above the laughter and cheering and hooting he cried
at the top of his voice, "Unless you stop your foolery, Parson, I'll
have you turned out!"

"Will you? Who's going to stop my foolery?" yelled Parson.

("Stop my foolery?") howled the chorus.

"Try it on, that's all! You don't think we funk you!"

("We funk you!")

"Do you suppose we don't know what we're doing?"

("We don't know what we're doing?")

"Look out, you fellows! Hold on!"

This last remark was caused by a rush upon the devoted band, with a view
to carry out the edict of the chairman.

Parson went on with his oration till he was secured, hand and foot, and
carried forcibly to the door, and even then continued to address the
house, struggling and kicking between every syllable. His backers,
equally determined, clung on to the forms and desks, and continued to
shout and scream and caterwaul till they were one by one ejected.

Even then they maintained their noble stand for freedom of speech by
howling through the key-hole and kicking at the door, till finally a
select band of volunteers was dispatched "to clear the approaches to the
House" and drive the Skyrockets to their own distant studies, where they
organised a few brawls on their own account, and ended the afternoon
very hoarse, very tired, but by no means cast down.

"Jolly spree, wasn't it?" said Parson, when it was all over, fanning
himself with a copybook and readjusting his collar.

"Stunning!" said Telson; "never thought they'd stand it so long. No end
of a speech, that of yours!"

"Yes," said Parson, complacent