“Blind,” said Eli Wade. “They don’t see. They’re millin’ round wherever the Germans and the slick politicians drive ’em. If ever I was fooled in a pair o’ shoes it was them Number Eights of ‘Smilin’ Mart’ Embree’s.”
“But your kind of people, Eli! Simple, straight, honest people. Why would they not stand by The Guardian?”
“Bless your soul! They do. They’re solid. It’s the advertisers thet are trippin’ up his feet.”
“So Mr. Galpin says. The stores.”
“Yes. The stores support the newspapers with their advertising, an’ so they rule or ruin ’em.”
“When have they ruled The Guardian?”
“Never. Nick Milliken says thet’s what’s wrong. Thet’s why they’re against it. He says if you could get at what supports the stores an’ work on thet, The Guardian might be pulled out yet. I got my own notions about thet.”
“About what supports the stores? The public, does it not?”
“Part of the public.”
“What part?”