Marrineal fingered a specially fragrant cigar. "But a newspaper must be
tied to something, mustn't it?" he queried. "Otherwise it drifts."
"Why not to its reading public?" suggested Banneker.
"That's an idea. But can you tie to a public? Isn't the public itself
adrift, like seaweed?"
"Blown about by the gales of politics." Edmonds accepted the figure.
"Well, the newspaper ought to be the gale."
"I gather that you gentlemen do not think highly of present journalistic
conditions."
"You overheard our discussion," said Banneker bluntly.
Marrineal assented. "It did not seem private. Katie's is a sort of free
forum. That is why I come. I like to listen. Besides, it touched me
pretty closely at one or two points."
The two others turned toward him, waiting. He nodded, and took upon
himself an air of well-pondered frankness. "I expect to take a more
active part in journalism from now on."
Edmonds followed up the significant phrase. "_More_ active? You have
newspaper interests?"
"Practically speaking, I own The Patriot. What do you gentlemen think of
it?"
"Who reads The Patriot?" inquired Banneker. He was unprepared for the
swift and surprised flash from Marrineal's fine eyes, as if some
profoundly analytical or revealing suggestion had been made.
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