“Just so,” said Hitt, rising. “It is my intention to issue the Express one more week on its present basis, and then turn it into a penny morning daily. I have seen and talked with its staff. They’re good men. I’m going to assume the management myself, with you, Carmen, as my first assistant. Haynerd will become city editor. Now, what suggestions have you?”
“Oh, lots!” cried the girl enthusiastically. “But, first, how far may I go?”
“The limit,” replied Hitt, rubbing his hands together. “You are my brain, so to speak, henceforth. As to financial resources, I am prepared to dump a hundred thousand dollars right into the Express before a cent of revenue comes back.”
“Another question, then: will you issue a Sunday edition?” she asked.
“For a while, yes,” he said. “We’ll see how it works, for I have some ideas to try out.”
“Well, then,” resumed the girl eagerly, “I want this paper to be for all the people; to be independent in the truest sense of the term; and to be absolutely beyond the influence of political and religious sectarianism––you’ll soon enough learn what that will cost you––to be an active, constructive force in this great city, and a patient, tireless, loving educator.”
“Humph!” grunted Haynerd, although he was listening very carefully.
“The Express will succeed,” the girl went on, without noticing him, “because our thought regarding it is successful. We have already succeeded; and that success will be externalized in our work. It makes no difference what the people may think of us; but it makes a lot of difference what we think of them and ourselves. Now, our program is unlimited. We assume superiority over adverse conditions, and we claim success, because we know that these things are mental, and that they are divinely ours. Lot’s wife didn’t have the sort of confidence that wins––she looked back. Our bridges are burnt behind us now. But there is no doubt of the outcome. And so there is no doubt lurking in us to take the edge off our efforts, is there? The thought regarding the Express has not been timidly born within us; it has come forth flashing vigor! Yes it has, Ned, despite your doubts! And we have within us a power mightier than any force outside of us. That is the knowledge of infinite mind’s omnipotence, and our ability to use the Christ-principle to meet every problem. Is it not so?”
Haynerd began to rouse up with a returning sense of confidence. Hitt smiled and nodded to Carmen. The girl went on rapidly and eagerly: