The question was asked and the answer came back.
“Ask him if it was a good story—and how long.”
It was asked and answered.
“Ask him if it was conceded to be the best story of the war published in America.”
The talk was extended this time, Markheim explaining why he asked.
“What did he say?” Morning asked.
“He said it was all right,” Markheim granted pertly. “Only that there was a very good story from another man on Port Arthur—afterward.”
“That is true. There was a heady little chap got into Port Arthur—and came out strong.... Now, look here——”
Morning went to the case where a particularly recent encyclopædia was drawn forth. He referred to the war, but especially to the final paragraph of the article, captioned “Bibliography.”... His own name and the name of his book was cited as the principal American reference.... It was all laughable. No one knew better than Morning that such action would be silly among real people.
“You don’t see Reever Kennard referred to, do you—as authority of war-stuff?... The point is that you play people get so much counterfeit color and office-setting—that you naturally can’t look authoritatively on the real thing.... However, the fact that I know more about the battle of Liaoyang than any other man in America would never make a good play. There’s a lot beside in this play—a lot more than at first——”