* * * * And then, on the very last
day of term, came this rough- and-tumble about the Czech gold. Under the sudden and precise assaults of Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Brendan Bracken, Sir John Simon became almost flustered. He summoned to his assistance all the weapons in his vast forensic armoury. He took all the blame upon his own shoulders, thereby providing himself with the shining buckler of Cabinet loyalty. He appealed to ordinary common sense and to the principles of banking integrity, thereby acquiring the lance of reason and the sword of com- mercial honesty. Yet the effect of his apologia was marred by the number and the variety of the weapons which he used ; it was as if an admirable dentist, in a moment of anxious perplexity, had taken six of his horrid little instru- ments into his hand at once. Then Churchill rose. He sat down again immediately since Mr. Tinker had been so fortunate as to catch the Speaker's eye. There were cries from all benches of " Churchill! Churchill! " Mr. Tinker, amid a round of appreciative cheers, gave way. And Mr. Churchill thereupon warmly thanked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the promises and undertakings which he had given. Sir John Simon was taken aback. He had tried to be fair to the House ; he had tried to be frank and out- spoken ; he had tried to be conciliatory; he had made certain suggestions and given certain explanations ; but had he actually given any undertakings? It was, of course, agreeable to be congratulated with such warmth, such fervour, by the Rt. Hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping. Or was it?
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