d meet you. Secretly he
agrees with much of what you have said, but of course he is reluctant to
expose himself until something of a formal movement is under way."

Long relaxed a little. This was good news, about the first he had had to
date. Political figures were remaining eloquently silent in the press,
and this was the first overture he had enjoyed from anyone more
influential than the reporters.

She went on, "Specifically, my brother would like to know which of the
other two political parties you favor, in the event you make an appeal
through such channels."

"Either party," Long asserted with some emphasis. "In fact I would like
to see a coalition of the Democratic and Republican Parties to overthrow
this unholy Humanist gang."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Precisely Tom's idea. He's not at all certain it
can be done, but he thinks that the press reaction you have had
indicates there is a possibility if it is played right."

"Yes, the so-called free press," he said. "Some people have thrown that
up to me. If the Humanists were dictators, they say, we wouldn't have
this free press that has given my remarks currency. I read it
differently. The Humanists have sold the press a bill of goods, and so
they control the papers in the most effective way of all. You'll notice
that they have printed my speeches strictly as news, you might say as
oddities in the news. Editorial comment has been extremely
noncommittal."

"I hope you are right," Long said. He made a pot of coffee, and they
discussed the matter at some length. He liked this woman's direct, open
approach, but she startled him as she was leaving.

"I have much to tell my brother," she said. "For my own curiosity,
though, are you certain that some personal distrust or dislike for women
hasn't influenced your attack against the government?"

It jarred him like an uppercut. Her detached manner had almost made him
forget she was a woman herself. Now this.

"Why--why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "It was a natural thought. There aren't many confirmed
bachelors these days."

"Oh, that!" He smiled. "You're quite right, there aren't many unattached
men over twenty-one any more, what with the barrage of government
propaganda and their special tax deduction incentives. I assure you that
it's nothing personal, however. My tastes are simply too rich."

"Your tastes?" It was her turn to arch an eyebrow.

"That's right. A lovely woman is a work of art, but like any ot