“Io, the soul of man is simple and clear compared with the soul of a newspaper.”
“If it has a soul.”
“Of course it has. It’s got to have. Otherwise what is it but a machine?”
“Which is The Patriot’s; yours or Mr. Marrineal’s? I can’t,” said Io quaintly, “quite see them coalescing.”
“I wonder if Marrineal has a soul,” mused Banneker.
“If he hasn’t one of his own, let him keep his hands off yours!” said Io in a flash of feminine jealousy. “He’s done enough already with his wretched mills. What shall you do about the attack in The Summons?”
“Ignore it. It would be difficult to answer. Besides, people easily forget.”
“A dangerous creed, Ban. And a cynical one. I don’t want you to be cynical.”
“I never shall be again, unless—”
“Unless?” she prompted.