"It must wait," continued Coleman; "it must wait on public opinion."
"Well," spoke up King, "it's all very well to wait, but public opinion left to itself is a mighty slow growth. It should be fostered. The newspapers—"
"Don't let's lose our sense of humour," cut in Talbot Ward. "Can you see Charley Nugent or Mike Rowlee crusading for the right?"
"But my point is good," insisted King. "An honest, fearless editor, not afraid to call a spade a spade—"
"Would be shot," said Coleman briefly.
"The chances of war," replied King.
"They don't grow that kind around here," grinned Ward.
"Well," concluded Coleman, "this young Keith probably won't help any, but he's going to be interesting to watch, just the same, to see what he'll do the first time they crack the whip over him. That's the vital point as far as he is concerned."
XXXVI
Keith's activities did not immediately confront him with anything in the nature of a test, however. His superiors confined him to the drawing of briefs and the carrying through of carefully selected cases. It was considered well to "work him in" a little before putting responsibility on him.