them, would print names and would,
alas! devote much space to their deliberations.

They said that the regrettable publicity would not stop them from doing
their duty.

He returned to his office and prepared a series of questions for the
papers to ask him. This is the most intelligent form of newspaper
interview because it is always printed. Answers to the reporters' own
questions always appear in the papers when the reporters themselves have
to supply them.

These were the questions--which later on the Public Sentiment Corps
answered with judiciously varied ayes and noes.

1. Were there one hundred Perfectly Beautiful Girls in New
York?

2. Would there be a second Judgment of Paris?

3. Was the Public Beauty Commission really competent?

4. How many points for complexion and coloring? For teeth?
For figure? For hands and feet and hair?

5. Would not a uniform garment, on the lines of Annette
Kellerman's bathing-suit, be the only fair way?

6. Would the wives, daughters, or fiancees of the members of
the commission be _hors concours_?

7. At what age did a girl cease to be a _Girl_?

8. Should Morality be allowed to interfere with Art?

When the reporters called at the S. A. S. A. offices H. R. gave to each
a typewritten set of the questions and said:

"The commission will hold meetings. They will be public to the
applicants. Nobody else, excepting male reporters, will be allowed to be
present. And you might add, gentlemen, that the commission considers the
requirements for success so uncommon as to render unnecessary the lease
of the Madison Square Garden to hold the candidates. The sessions will
be held in a room not much larger than this room. And," added the
diabolic H. R., "we have no fear of overcrowding. They have to be
_perfectly beautiful girls_, beautifully perfect. Now, don't quote me,
boys, but you might print, as a report on good authority, that the only
one thus far chosen is Miss Grace Goodchild!"

Though all reporters are human, most of them are grateful. They duly
published the "rumor" and Grace's latest photographs.

XX

Long before the tea was over, Grace Goodchild, two miles north of him,
realized that H. R. was one of those detestable persons who are always
right. A dozen of her intimates surrounded her in the Dutch room. They
all talked at once. When eleven stopped for lack of breath the twelfth,
who very cleve