Horace Vanney wishes to relieve his soul of some priceless
information. Will you call at his office at two-thirty?"
It was Mr. Vanney's practice, whenever any of his enterprises
appeared in a dubious or unfavorable aspect, immediately to materialize
in print on some subject entirely unrelated, preferably an announcement
on behalf of one of the charitable or civic organizations which he
officially headed. Thus he shone forth as a useful, serviceable, and
public-spirited citizen, against whom (such was the inference which the
newspaper reader was expected to draw) only malignancy could allege
anything injurious. In this instance his offering upon the altar of
publicity, carefully typed and mimeographed, had just enough importance
to entitle it to a paragraph of courtesy. After it was given out to
those who called, Mr. Vanney detained Banneker.
"Have you read the morning papers, Mr. Banneker?"
"Yes. That's my business, Mr. Vanney."
"Then you can see, by the outbreak in Sippiac, to what disastrous
results anarchism and fomented discontent lead."
"Depends on the point of view. I believe that, after my visit to the
mills for you, I told you that unless conditions were bettered you'd
have another and worse strike. You've got it.
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