"There is a suggestion about it," said she, still rather white, "of thirty pieces of silver."
"Oh! We can hardly say that. Let us give him the benefit of the doubt, as long as there can be any doubt. Let us view it for the present as a death-bed repentance."
Him? Which did he mean?
"No," said Sharlee, "it is not possible to view it that way. The Post has been as familiar with the arguments all along, from beginning to end, as you or I. It could not be honestly converted any more than you could. This," said she, struggling to speak calmly, "is treachery."
"Appearances, I am sorry to say, are much that way. Still—I think we should not condemn the paper unheard."
"Then why not have the hearing at once? An explanation is—"
"I shall seek none," interrupted Mr. Dayne, quietly. "The Post must volunteer it, if it has any to offer. Of course," he went on, "we know nothing of the history of that editorial now. Of one thing, however, I feel absolutely certain; that is, that it was published without the knowledge of Mr. West. Developments may follow.... As for instance a shake-up in the staff."
That settled it. This good man whom she admired so much had not entertained a doubt that the editorial was from the brain and pen of Mr. Queed.
She said painfully: "As to the effect upon the—the reformatory—"
"It is killed," said Mr. Dayne, and went away to his desk.