"That's what I told her, sir."
Brooks bowed and withdrew. Old man Colton was already at his desk.
"Now, my son," said Witherspoon, aimlessly fumbling with some papers on his desk, "I should think that the first thing to be attended to is that statement for the newspapers. Wait a moment, and we will consult Brooks. He knows more in that line than any one else about the place." He tapped a bell. "Mr. Brooks," he said when a boy appeared. Brooks came, and Witherspoon explained.
"Ah, I see," said Brooks. "You don't want to give it to any one paper, for that isn't business. We'll draw off a statement and send it to the City Press Association, and then it will be given out to all the papers."
"That is a capital idea; you will help us get it up."
"Yes, sir," said Brooks, bowing.
"That will not be necessary," Henry protested, unable to disguise his disapproval of the arrangement. "I can write it in a very short time."
"Ah," Witherspoon replied, "but Brooks is used to such work. He writes our advertisements."
"But this isn't an advertisement, and I prefer to write it."
"Of course, if you can do it satisfactorily, but I should think that it would be better if done by a practiced hand."