“It sounds simple,” I answered. “But how do you propose to abolish it?” The lady editor of an “advanced” American magazine once set the discussion—“Should sex be abolished?” and eleven ladies and gentlemen seriously argued the question.
“Leave it to die of inanition,” said B—; “the first step is to arouse public opinion. Convince the public that it should be abolished.”
“But why should it be abolished?” I asked.
“Great Scott! man,” he exclaimed; “don’t you want it abolished?”
“I’m not sure that I do,” I replied.
“Not sure,” he retorted; “you call yourself a journalist, and admit there is a subject under Heaven of which you are not sure!”
“It has come over me of late years,” I replied. “It used not to be my failing, as you know.”
He glanced round to make sure we were out of earshot, then sunk his voice to a whisper.
“Between ourselves,” he said, “I’m not so sure of everything myself as I used to be. Why is it?”
“Perhaps we are getting older,” I suggested.