"He said he would speak plainly with you."
Graves's revulsion was fairly physical.
"You manage it, Volney," he entreated. "You will know how."
Sprague shook his head.
"He was positive on that point. It must be you or nobody."
"I doubt if it's worth while."
The editor lost patience.
"It was you who reminded me that we lacked the concrete. Now I offer it to you."
"But in such a shape!"
"Can you quibble over that—and in politics?"