They Were Divided - Miklos Banffy [113]
At four o’clock the government party took their seats and there was an ominous hush which lasted until Tisza rose to open the session. Then bedlam broke loose again with the sound of whistles blowing, bells ringing, voices shouting and crowing with manic laughter. No one could hear a word the Speaker uttered, though everyone could see his mouth open and shut. Then he stopped trying to speak, noted something with his pencil, rose and left the Chamber, all members of the government party trooping out after him. The noise-makers thought that they had won that round.
But not for long.
A moment or two later the red plush draperies over the door to the Chamber behind the left-wing benches were drawn aside and the Chief Usher entered with a paper in his hand. Behind him could be seen a high official of the Parliament in his gold-braided uniform, and behind him row after row of policemen.
From where Balint stood it was difficult to see exactly what happened next, but behind the dense phalanx of policemen there seemed to be some heated discussion, perhaps even a brawl.
What happened was this. Mihaly Karolyi, who found himself in the corridor just as it was filling up with policemen, pushed his way into the Chamber through the central door on the left, jumped up onto the writing desk of the first bench in front of him, stepped over the shoulders of those sitting there and ran, white shoes flashing and arms spread wide, along the bench-tops until he found himself in front of Justh. Then it seemed that he struck out at the nearest policeman with both fists – though it was impossible to see whether they reached their mark or not for at that moment expert arms caught him and lifted him in the air, and four stalwart policemen carried him bodily outside. He was the only one who physically attacked the police that day, though strangely enough his name never figured on the list of those who were arrested later.
The others merely adopted an attitude of passive resistance. When the man in gold braid touched them on the shoulder, they got up quietly and were escorted out by two policemen.
Abady left after the first of the obstructionist members had been ejected from the Chamber.
He had come to the session because he considered it his duty; and he remained until the police arrived because, though he knew that he would be deeply shocked by what was going to happen, he agreed that it was necessary. While all this was going on he just stood like one mesmerized, for though his innermost feelings were outraged and although he was horrified by what was happening, he could not tear his eyes away but felt impelled to stand there and watch the horror as it happened.
With a bitter taste in his mouth he stepped out into the corridor. It was empty, for Tisza had evidently given orders to his followers that on this day they should keep discreetly in the background and not wander about as they usually did. Even the ushers had disappeared.
Balint walked swiftly downstairs. In the hall on the ground-floor a small group of ejected Members stood nonchalantly at one side surrounded by policemen; they were still there when Balint returned from the cloakroom having collected his hat and stick.
Now they were crowding round the main entrance and Balint wondered what on earth they could be waiting for. Could it be checking of their papers, or were their captors expecting others to join them before they were all hurried away in one large group?
Abady was soon enlightened: the ejected members were having their photographs taken.
Eager newsmen were standing outside beside the pillars of the portico, and each group of