“Education.”
“Exactly! What better chance could you ask? A paper devoted to the interests of the masses, and willing to print facts. I want you to do the same sort of thing that you’ve been doing for The Courier; a job of handling the big, general stories. You’ll be responsible to me alone. The salary will be a third higher than you are now getting. Think it over.”
“I’ve thought. I’m bought,” said Russell Edmonds. He resumed his pipe.
“And you, Mr. Banneker?”
“I’m not a Socialist, in the party sense. Besides a Socialist paper in New York has no chance of big circulation.”
“Oh, The Patriot isn’t going to tag itself. Politically it will be independent. Its policy will be socialistic only in that it will be for labor rather than capital and for the under dog as against the upper dog. It certainly won’t tie up to the Socialist Party or advocate its principles. It’s for fair play and education.”
“What’s your purpose?” demanded Banneker. “Money?”
“I’ve a very comfortable income,” replied Marrineal modestly.
“Political advancement? Influence? Want to pull the wires?” persisted the other.
“The game. I’m out of employment and tired of it.”