" At once,
though almost insensibly, the attitude of Mr. Vanney eased; obviously
there was no fear of his being "boned" for a job. At the same time he
experienced a mild misgiving lest he might be forfeiting the services of
one who could be really useful to him. Banneker's energy and
decisiveness at the wreck had made a definite impression upon him. But
there was the matter of the rejected hundred-dollar tip. Unpliant,
evidently, this young fellow. Probably it was just as well that he
should be broken in to life and new standards elsewhere than in the
Vanney interests. Later, if he developed, watchfulness might show it to
be worth while to....
"What is it that you have in mind, my boy?" inquired the benign Mr.
Vanney.
"I start in on The Ledger next month."
"The Ledger! Indeed! I did not know that you had any journalistic
experience."
"I haven't."
"Well. Er--hum! Journalism, eh? A--er--brilliant profession!"
"You think well of it?"
"I have many friends among the journalists. Fine fellows! Very fine
fellows."
The instinctive tone of patronage was not lost upon Banneker. He felt
annoyed at Mr. Vanney. Unreasonably annoyed. "What's the matter with
journalism?" he asked bluntly.
"The matter?" Mr. Vanney was blandly surprised.
Pages:
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258