More explanations and laudations of the extent of the business followed.
Then came the circulation department with its head, a tall dark man who looked solemnly at Eugene, uncertain as to what place he was to have in the organization and uncertain as to what attitude he should ultimately have to take. White was "butting into his affairs," as he told his wife, and he did not know where it would end. He had heard rumors to the effect that there was to be a new man soon who was to have great authority over various departments. Was this he?
There came next the editors of the various magazines, who viewed this triumphal procession with more or less contempt, for to them both Colfax and White were raw, uncouth upstarts blazoning their material superiority in loud-mouthed phrases. Colfax talked too loud and was too vainglorious. White was too hard, bitter and unreasoning. They hated them both with a secret hate but there was no escaping their domination. The need of living salaries held all in obsequious subjection.
"Here's Mr. Marchwood," Colfax said inconsiderately of the editor of the International Review. "He thinks he's making a wonderful publication of that, but we don't know whether he is yet or not."
Eugene winced for Marchwood. He was so calm, so refined, so professional.
"I suppose we can only go by the circulation department," he replied simply, attracted by Eugene's sympathetic smile.
"That's all! That's all!" exclaimed Colfax.
"That is probably true," said Eugene, "but a good thing ought to be as easily circulated as a poor one. At least it's worth trying."
Mr. Marchwood smiled. It was a bit of intellectual kindness in a world of cruel comment.
"It's a great institution," said Eugene finally, on reaching the president's office again. "I'll begin now and see what I can do."