"You have failed, my very able
chief," he said to himself, "because you have never believed intensely
enough to move you to act. You have attached too much importance to the
adulteration--the folly and the humbug. And here you are, still only a
critic, destructive but never constructive."
At first his associates were much amused by his intensity. But as he
learned to temper and train his enthusiasm they grew to respect both his
ability and his character. Before a year had passed they were feeling the
influence of his force--his trained, informed mind, made vigorous by
principles and ideals.
Malcolm had the keen appreciation of a broad mind for this honest,
intelligent energy. He used the editorial "blue-pencil" for alteration and
condensation with the hand of a master. He cut away Howard's crudities,
toned down and so increased his intensity, and pointed it with the irony
and satire necessary to make it carry far and penetrate easily.
Malcolm was at once giving Howard a reputation greater than he deserved and
training him to deserve it.
* * * * *
In the office next to Howard's sat Segur, a bachelor of forty-five who took
life as a good-humoured jest and amused his leisure with the New Yorkers
who devote a life of idleness to a nervous flight from boredom.
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