For, remember,
this paper is the work of perhaps twenty thousand brains, in every part of
the world, throughout civilisation and far into the depths of barbarism.
Look at these date lines--cities and towns everywhere in our own country,
Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America. You'll find most of the
capitals of Europe represented; and Africa, north, south and central, east
and west coast. Here's India and here the heart of Siberia.
"There is China and there Japan and there Australia. Think of these scores
of newspaper correspondents telegraphing news of the doings of their fellow
beings--not what they did last month or last year, but what they did a few
hours ago--some of it what they were doing while we were dining up at
Sherry's. Then think of the thousands on thousands of these newspaper-men,
eager, watchful agents of publicity, who were on duty but had nothing to
report to-day. And----"
Howard shrugged his shoulders and tossed the paper from him.
"There it lies," he said, "a corpse. Already a corpse, its life ended
before it was fairly born. There it is, dead and done for--writ in water,
and by anonymous hands. Who knows who did it? Who cares?"
He caught Marian's eyes, looking wonder and reproach.
"I don't like to hear you say that," she said, forgetting Mrs.
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