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Lloyd's heart sank. Ersing was a Catholic union leader. "How can a trade unionist even think about voting for this bill?" he said.
"Kaas says the Fatherland is in danger. They all think there will be bloody anarchy if we reject this act."
"There'll be bloody tyranny if you pass it."
"What about your lot?"
"They think they will all be shot if they vote against. But they're going to do it anyway."
Heinrich went back inside and Lloyd returned to the Social Democrats. "The diehards are weakening," Lloyd told Walter and his colleagues. "They're afraid of a civil war if the act is rejected."
The gloom deepened.
They all returned to the debating chamber at six o'clock.
Wels spoke first. He was calm, reasonable, and unemotional. He pointed out that life in a democratic republic had been good for Germans, overall, bringing freedom of opportunity and social welfare, and reinstating Germany as a normal member of the international community.
Lloyd noticed Hitler making notes.
At the end Wels bravely professed allegiance to humanity and justice, freedom and socialism. "No Enabling Law gives you the power to annihilate ideas that are eternal and indestructible," he said, gaining courage as the Nazis began to laugh and jeer.
The Social Democrats applauded, but they were drowned out.
"We greet the persecuted and oppressed!" Wels shouted. "We greet our friends in the Reich. Their steadfastness and loyalty deserve admiration."
Lloyd could just make out his words over the hooting and booing of the Nazis.
"The courage of their convictions and their unbroken optimism guarantee a brighter future!"
He sat down amid raucous heckling.
Would the speech make any difference? Lloyd could not tell.
After Wels, Hitler spoke again. This time his tone was quite different. Lloyd realized that in his earlier speech the chancellor had only been warming up. His voice was louder now, his phrases more intemperate, his tone full of contempt. He used his right arm constantly to make aggressive gestures--pointing, hammering, clenching his fist, putting his hand on his heart, and sweeping the air in a motion that seemed to brush all opposition aside. Every impassioned phrase was cheered uproariously by his supporters. Every sentence expressed the same emotion: a savage, all-consuming, murderous rage.
Hitler was also confident. He claimed he had not needed to propose the Enabling Act. "We appeal in this hour to the German Reichstag to grant us something we would have taken anyway!" he jeered.
Heinrich looked worried, and left the box. A minute later Lloyd saw him on the floor of the auditorium, whispering in his father's ear.
When he returned to the box he looked str
icken.
Lloyd said: "Have you got your written assurances?"
Heinrich could not meet Lloyd's eye. "The document is being typed up," he replied.
Hitler finished by scorning the Social Democrats. He did not want their votes. "Germany shall be free!" he screamed. "But not through you!"
The leaders of the other parties spoke briefly. Every one appeared crushed. Prelate Kaas said the Centre Party would support the bill. The rest followed suit. Everyone but the Social Democrats was in favor.
The result of the vote was announced, and the Nazis cheered wildly.
Lloyd was awestruck. He had seen naked power brutally wielded, and it was an ugly sight.
He left the box without speaking to Heinrich.
He found Walter in the entrance lobby, weeping. He was using a large white handkerchief to wipe his face, but the tears kept coming. Lloyd had not seen men cry like that except at funerals.
