It was on Thursday that Norman Hale was taken to the hospital. Friday noon McGuire Ellis laid before his principal the carefully constructed dummy with the brief comment:
"There's the epidemic story."
Hal accepted and read it in silence. Once or twice he made a note. When he had finished, he turned to find Ellis's gaze fixed upon him.
"We ought to run it Monday," said Ellis. "We can round it all up by then."
Monday is the dead day of journalism, the day for which news articles which do not demand instant production are reserved, both to liven up a dull paper and because the sensation produced is greater. However, the sensation inevitable to the publishing of this article, as Hal instantly realized, would be enormous on any day.
"It's big stuff," said he, with a long breath.
Ellis nodded. "Shall I release it for Monday?"
"N-n-no," came the dubious reply.
"It's been held already for ten days."
"Then what does it matter if we hold it a little longer?"