d take part.

GROSVENOR

[_With a malicious glance._

That looks well for your business, Conroy.

CONROY

I'm not complaining.

POLLEN

We're playing the thing up in the late editions all over the country.
It'll give the people a queer catch in the throat. They'll see the
possibility of a fierce struggle, even of defeat. There'll be a
wonderful wave of patriotism. You watch. The people'll rise right up. In
twenty-four hours there won't be a man in the country that'll be able to
tell black from white. All they'll see will be red.

[_Pointing out of the window._

Look at the people out there, standing round. They can't stay indoors.
They're waiting for the extras. They won't believe 'em when they read
'em, but they can't resist the excitement. Well, the bonfire's ready.
Nothing lacking now except the match.

GROSVENOR

[_Striding up and down._

That's all very well, Mr. Pollen. But suppose the King over there backs
down?

POLLEN

He won't. The people won't let him.

CONROY

_His_ people? They don't want war.

POLLEN

Not _his_ people.

[_Pointing._

Ours. I tell you, they've smelt blood.

[_From a distance, faintly, but growing louder, boys are heard calling,
"Extra! Extra!"_

GROSVENOR

[_Excitedly._

Extra! I wonder--

CONROY

[_Going to the balcony, and calling down._

Here, boy!

POLLEN

[_Laughing softly._

There you go.

[_He presses a bell-button on the wall, bends over the writing-desk and
writes a line which he encloses in an envelope._

You're easy. And there are a hundred million like you. When it comes to
war, reason goes to sleep. You both of you knew perfectly well that I
had absolutely no later news than you, but you let yourself be
hypnotized like children. I can do anything I want with you.

[_Enter_ PAGE.

PAGE

Ring, sir?

POLLEN

Take this to the news-stand in the hall.

PAGE

Yes, sir.

[_Exit._

POLLEN

[_At the window again._

The edition is going like hotcakes. It has Maynard's speech in it. Did
either of you hear it?

CONROY

Yes. Damned rot, but effective.

POLLEN

He keeps the patriotism hot.

GROSVENOR

[_Proudly._

I trained that young man in patriotism.

[_Enter_ REPRESENTATIVE MAYNARD, _left; a young man, conceited
and with a swagger._

MAYNARD

Good evening, gentlemen.

GROSVENOR

Maynard!

CONROY

Great boy!

[_They all clap him on the shoulder and shake hi