"
"I'm not against Willis Enderby. I'm for him," grunted the veteran.
"Why; if he's a conservative?"
"Oh, as for that, I can bring a long indictment against him. He's a firm
believer in the capitalistic system. He's enslaved to the old economic
theories, supply and demand, and all that rubbish from the ruins of
ancient Rome. He believes that gold is the only sound material for
pillars of society. The aristocratic idea is in his bones." Edmonds, by
a feat of virtuosity, sent a thin, straight column of smoke, as it might
have been an allegorical and sardonic pillar itself, almost to the
ceiling. "But he believes in fair play. Free speech. Open field. The
rigor of the game. He's a sportsman in life and affairs. That's why he's
dangerous."
"Dangerous? To whom?"
"To the established order. To the present system. Why, son, all we
Socialists ask is fair play. Give us an even chance for labor, for the
proletariat; an even show before the courts, an open forum in the
newspapers, the right to organize as capital organizes, and we'll win.
If we can't win, we deserve to lose. I say that men like Willis Enderby
are our strongest supporters."
"Probably he thinks his side will win, under the strict rules of the
game."
"Of course.
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