making people stir their minds and think who never before had a thought
beyond the everyday processes of life."

"For your own purposes? Thought, as you manipulate it, might be a
high-explosive. Have you thought of using it in that way?"

"If I found a part of the social edifice that had to be blown to pieces,
I might."

"Take care that you don't involve us all in the crash. Meantime, what is
the rest of your editorial page; a species of sedative to lull their
minds? Who is Evadne Ellington?"

"One of our most prominent young murderesses."

"And you let her sign a column on your page?"

"Oh, she's a highly moral murderess. Killed her lover in defense of her
honor, you know. Which means that she shot him when he got tired of her.
A sobbing jury promptly acquitted her, and now she's writing 'Warnings
to Young Girls.' They're most improving and affecting, I assure you. We
look after that."

"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. Then she laughed. "Is that the way
you get your contributors?"

"Often, as the spider said to the fly," grinned Banneker the shameless.
"Take a thousand words or more and let us have your picture."

"No. Not that. I've seen my friends' pictures too often in your socie