The instinctive tone of patronage was not lost upon Banneker. He felt annoyed at Mr. Vanney. Unreasonably annoyed. “What’s the matter with journalism?” he asked bluntly.
“The matter?” Mr. Vanney was blandly surprised. “Haven’t I just said—”
“Yes; you have. Would you let your son go into a newspaper office?”
“My son? My son chose the profession of law.”
“But if he had wanted to be a journalist?”
“Journalism does not perhaps offer the same opportunities for personal advancement as some other lines,” said the financier cautiously.
“Why shouldn’t it?”
“It is largely anonymous.” Mr. Vanney gave the impression of feeling carefully for his words. “One may go far in journalism and yet be comparatively unknown to the public. Still, he might be of great usefulness,” added the sage, brightening, “very great usefulness. A sound, conservative, self-respecting newspaper such as The Ledger, is a public benefactor.”
“And the editor of it?”
“That’s right, my boy,” approved the other. “Aim high! Aim high! The great prizes in journalism are few. They are, in any line of endeavor. And the apprenticeship is hard.”