s hand._

POLLEN

A wonderful speech, my boy. We're playing you up for Governor of the
State in tonight's late editions.

MAYNARD

I'll sweep the State. It's patriotism, it's the flag, that gets the
rubes. You should have seen the whiskers of the rural sections waving in
the wind!

[_Shouts of newsboys outside: "Bulletin! War! All about the war!"_

CONROY

Eh?

MAYNARD

[_To Pollen._

Any news I've missed?

GROSVENOR

How's that? They're shouting "War" already.

POLLEN

[_Calmly._

I told 'em to. That was the message I sent down. That shout gave you a
thrill, didn't it? Well, that was what I was after. If I don't hold you
down in your chair you'll rush out to buy a copy, even though I should
stand here all night, shouting in your ears that it's a fake.

GROSVENOR

[_Shocked._

You are inflaming the people!

POLLEN

Exactly. There have been people unkind enough to assert that that was my
business. What's yours, Grosvenor?

GROSVENOR

Eh?

[_Hotly._

What d'ye mean?

CONROY

You're livin' in a crystal palace, Grosvenor. Don't you go and forget
that.

GROSVENOR

[_Indignantly._

I--

MAYNARD

[_To Grosvenor._

I've got to get back to the House, Mr. Grosvenor. I just came over to
see if you had any--suggestions?

GROSVENOR

[_Testily._

No. Only keep me posted. That's all.

[_Expanding again._

And remember, our honor as a nation is at stake.

MAYNARD

They're not forgetting our honor while I'm on the floor.

CONROY

[_Drawing_ MAYNARD _aside as he is about to go out, and
whispering._

Need any--ready money?

MAYNARD

[_Grinning._

There were a half dozen brethren on the steps as I came out, who
implied they were broke, and wouldn't object to a loan.

CONROY

[_Taking a wallet from his pocket and handing it to Maynard, after he
has made sure that Grosvenor and Pollen are not looking._

Here. Help the poor devils along.

MAYNARD

Thanks. I will.

[PAGE _enters right, with a card on a salver._

PAGE

Senator Taney?

MAYNARD

No.

[_Taking up the card._

Who wants him?

_[He whistles softly._

Harradan! No, son, Senator Taney is not here.

[_Exit_ PAGE, _left._

GROSVENOR

[_Excitedly._

Harradan's smelling a rat. He's getting after Taney!

POLLEN

[_Quietly._

Don't you worry. I can finish Harradan up in black-faced letters
tomorrow morning. He'll think he's reading his own to