“But it wasn’t fiction,” denied Banneker eagerly.
The Great Gaines gave forth one of his oracles. “But it was. Good dialogue is talk as it should be talked, just as good fiction is life as it should be lived—logically and consecutively. Why don’t you try something for The New Era?”
“I have.”
“When?”
“Before I got your note.”
“It never reached me.”
“It never reached anybody. It’s in my desk, ripening.”
“Send it along, green, won’t you? It may give more indications that way. And first work is likely to be valuable chiefly as indication.”
“I’ll mail it to you. Before I go, would you mind telling me more definitely why you advise me against the newspaper business?”
“I advise? I never advise as to questions of morals or ethics. I have too much concern with keeping my own straight.”