"
"Ban! I hate to have you so cynical."
"Not at all," he protested. "Ask the Prevention of Vice people and the
criminologists. They'll tell you that Evadne's column is a real
influence for good among the people who read and believe it."
"What class is Reformed Rennigan's sermon aimed at?" she inquired, with
wrinkling nostrils. "'Soaking it to Satan'; is that another regular
feature?"
"Twice a week. It gives us a Y.M.C.A. circulation that is worth a good
deal to us. Outside of my double column, the page is a sort of forum.
I'll take anything that is interesting or authoritative. For example, if
Royce Melvin had something of value to say to the public about music,
where else could she find so wide a hearing as through The Patriot?"
"No, I thank you," returned his visitor dryly.
"No? Are you sure? What is your opinion of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' as
a national song?"
"It's dreadful."
"Why?"
"For every reason. The music misfits the words. It's beyond the range of
most voices. The harmonies are thin. No crowd in the world can sing it.
What is the value or inspiration of a national song that the people
can't sing?"
"Ask it of The Patriot's public. I'll follow it up editorially; 'Wanted;
A Song for America.'"
"I will," she answered impulsively.
Pages:
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526