Is that
it?"
"Certainly not! You are expected to present the news fairly and without
editorial emphasis."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gordon, but I don't believe I could rewrite that story
so as to give a favorable slant to the International's side. Shooting
down women and kids, you know--"
Mr. Gordon's voice was crisp as he cut in. "There is no question of your
rewriting it. That has been turned over to a man we can trust."
"To handle facts tactfully," put in Banneker in his mildest voice.
Considerably to his surprise, he saw a smile spread over Mr. Gordon's
face. "You're an obstinate young animal, Banneker," he said. "Take this
proof home, put it under your pillow and dream over it. Tell me a week
from now what you think of it."
Banneker rose. "Then, I'm not fired?" he said.
"Not by me."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm trusting in your essential honesty to bring you around."
"To be quite frank," returned Banneker after a moment's thought, "I'm
afraid I've got to be convinced of The Ledger's essential honesty to
come around."
"Go home and think it over," suggested the managing editor.
To his associate, Andreas, he said, looking at Banneker's retreating
back: "We're going to lose that young man, Andy. And we can't afford to
lose him.
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