Edwards ran rapidly through an imposing mass of documents.
“That long-distance call from the Chicago Vox,” he said. “You promised to give Mr. Groton some word this morning.”
“Call him up when we get to Penn. Station,” said Sanford. “Tell him I can't give him any decision yet awhile. Tell him that loyalty to my own city will keep me there for some time. You might tell him that I believe the Lens has great possibilities if properly handled. I should not care to build up the property of a Chicago paper while there is a chance of the Lens becoming the great evening paper of the East.”
“Yes, sir,” said Edwards, jotting down what, might pass for stenography.
The train was running smoothly through level green country, and Mr. Birdlip laid down his paper on his lap. Sanford was ready to catch his eye.
“Good morning, Mr. Birdlip,” he said, genially.
“Good morning,” said the owner of the Lens, whose bright gaze exhibited a lively tincture of interest.
“Here are the typed notes of your remarks on 'Newspaper Circulation as a Byproduct of the Multiplication Table',” said Edwards, in a loud voice.
“You can let those wait,” said Sanford, carelessly. “I don't want to be bothered with anything else this morning. Give me a memorandum of anything that needs to be attended to when we get to New York.” He turned to Mr. Birdlip. “I find that in these busy days one has to attend to some of one's work even on the train. It is about the only place where one is never interrupted.”
“Did I hear you say something about Circulation?” said Mr. Birdlip. “Are you specially interested in that problem?”