“Don’t you believe they won’t! They’re going to our advertisers. The Record is in on it.”
“Naturally. They could use some added advertising space if they could get it away from us.”
“They’re getting it; a little. They’ll get more if we hold up to our present rates. The Retailers’ Association had that up in meeting again, and we’ll probably hear one of their mild suggestions about a reduction soon.”
“They don’t get it!” said Jeremy angrily.
“No. If we let down now, we’ll be on the slide. Besides, we sure need the money. Those libel suits of Dana & Dana are going to cost something. They’re juggling ’em that way.”
“Any other cheer-up news to-day, Andy?”
“No-o. Nothing special. We’re up against a new paper contract. Verrall’s looking after that. Something’s going on under the surface in the press-room. Maybe the Deutscher Club has a committee at work there, too. I’d like to catch ’em at it—with a press-hammer handy,” he concluded, licking his lips. “It would n’t hurt my feelings at all to have to slaughter a few Botches.”
“Well, you may get your chance. Andy, what would you do if war were declared?”
“Who? Me? Get out a special, with the American flag all over it, if it was at 3 A.M.”
“That is n’t what I mean. What would you do personally?”