“Yes, a little weakly,” murmured Alf.
“But every one knows that it’s Holmes who makes it go. Holmes is the real thing on The Scholiast.” Tom winked at Dan. “Why, it’s Holmes who gets the advertising, looks after the circulation, pays the bills, and does the whole big stunt. I know, because he told me so himself.”
Joe smiled pityingly. “Holmes is a mighty smart business editor,” he said, “but there’s some difference between soliciting advertisements and writing copy; to say nothing of editing it after it’s written!”
“But think of the glory!” exclaimed Alf, rapturously. “Think what it is to be a Molder of Public Opinion! And as a molder of Public Opinion, Joe, you’re just about the moldiest ever!”
“You’re having a pretty nice little time knocking me to-night, aren’t you?” asked Joe, with a suspicion of heat. “Well, you may make all the fun you want to, but I’d like to see you hold down my job for ten minutes, you smart Aleck!”
Alf, having at length succeeded in getting a fall out of Joe, as he would have expressed it, smiled joyfully.
“Nonsense, Joe! I could get out a better paper than that with my eyes shut and one hand tied behind me!”
“Yes, you could!” sneered Joe, with an inflection that belied his words. “That’s what they all say! Every fellow thinks he can edit a newspaper.”
“I’m not saying anything about newspapers,” retorted Alf, sweetly. “The Scholiast is not a newspaper, Joseph. It never had any news in it since it started.”