He
appreciated also, though with a cynical disbelief in the logic of the
situation, that he must polish up his reputation. He was on the new
quest at the time when he overheard Banneker and Edmonds discuss the
journalistic situation in Katie's restaurant, and had already determined
upon his procedure.
Sitting between the two newspaper workers, Marrineal overtopped them
both; the supple strength of Banneker as well as the gnarly slenderness
of Edmonds. He gave an impression of loose-jointed and rather lazy
power; also of quiet self-confidence. He began to talk at once, with the
easy, drifting commentary of a man who had seen everything, measured
much, and liked the glittering show. Both of the others, one his elder,
the other his junior, felt the ready charm of the man. Both were content
to listen, waiting for the clue to his intrusion which he had contrived
to make not only inoffensive, but seemingly a casual act of
good-fellowship. The clue was not afforded, but presently some shrewd
opinion of the newcomer upon the local political situation set them both
to discussion. Quite insensibly Marrineal withdrew from the
conversation, sipping his coffee and listening with an effect of
effortless amenity.
"If we had a newspaper here that wasn't tied hard and fast,
politically!" cried Edmonds presently.
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