ection he will take, though," retorted
the under-classman, whose name was Converse. "1920 has done the school a
big service by founding the paper and outlining its policy. My father
was saying only last night that the magazine was well worth putting on a
permanent business basis. He said that if an experienced publishing
house had the handling of it it could be made into a money-making
proposition--that is if everybody, young and old, would keep up their
same enthusiasm for turning in stuff so the tone of the thing was not
spoiled."

"I believe that, too."

"It wouldn't be such a bad idea if next year we could get in an
experienced hand to help us, would it?"

The moment Paul dreaded had come.

He summoned all his dignity.

"I am not sure," he answered, "just what 1920 will decide to do with the
paper when we finish the year. We may sell it."

"What! You don't mean sell it to an outsider?"

"We have an opportunity to do so."

"But--but--how could you? It's the property of the school, isn't it?"
stammered Converse.

"No, not as I see it. A few of us 1920 fellows started it and have done
all the work, or the bulk of it. If we choose to sell it, I don't see
why we haven't a right to."

"But--Great hat, Kip! You certainly wouldn't do that!" protested the
junior.

"Why not?"

"Because--well--it would be so darn yellow," burst out the other boy.
"Even if the thing is yours--why--," he broke off helplessly. "And
anyway, how could you? Any number of people are interested in it."

"They could keep on being interested in it."

"You mean somebody else would publish it?"

"Yes."

"As it is now?"

"Practically. They would give it a more professional touch, no doubt."

"Do you think for a second that in the hands of a cut and dried
publisher it would be the same?" asked Converse hotly. "Do you imagine
people would send in articles to it as they do now?"

"I don't see why not."

"They wouldn't--not on your life! Why, the reason that everybody has
pitched in and written for us was precisely because the thing was not
professional, and they knew they would be free of criticism. The columns
have become a sort of town forum, my father said. Do you think you could
get the same people to speak out under different conditions? Judge
Damon, for instance, has repeatedly refused to write for the
professional press. He could get a fat sum for such editorials as he
writes for us if he wanted to sell them. Father said so.