“I’ll shake hands now,” said Laurens, and did. “You’re all wrong. You’ve been misled by that quack, Embree. But I suppose a man can be wrong and still be straight.” “Exactly what I’m supposing about you,” retorted Jeremy. “Now, sit down, Mr. Laurens, and tell me some real political news.” Laurens drew a chair up opposite the editor. “Do you think you’d print it?” “News is The Guardian’s stock in trade.” “Here’s some, then. A bill is going to be introduced this fall to Germanize our public schools farther.” “What’s the substance of it?” “Making German practically compulsory in the grade schools.” “They’ll never pass it.” “Watch them! What leader is going to oppose it? In a governorship election year?” “Who will introduce it?” “Some nonentity. It will have the most powerful radical support. You can guess from whom.” “I don’t guess, professionally.” “Then I’ll tell you. Martin Embree.” “I don’t believe it.” “Ask him. My sources of information are reliable.” “Can I get a copy of the bill?” “Here’s a rough outline of it. It is n’t fully decided on yet, as to details.” “Who drew it up?” “The Reverend Theo Gunst, Henry Dolge, and Professor Brender, of the German Department at Old Central, on the basis of a plan which Herr Professor Koerner left when he was here. It’s one of the moves in the development of ‘Deutschturn.’ Have you ever seen the Germanizing scheme for Centralia gotten up in the eighties?” “No. I’ve heard there was such a thing.” “Colonization up to a certain point. Then the establishment of a Little Germany through making German the official language of the schools, the courts, and the Legislature. Peaceful conquest idea.” “And this bill is a revival of that plan, you think?” “It has that appearance. Will The Guardian support it?” “No.” “Will it oppose it?” “Who’s doing this interviewing, you or me, Mr. Laurens?” smiled Jeremy. “Call it an exchange.” “All right. Yes: we’ll oppose it. What about you?” “It’s well enough known where I stand.” “As a private citizen, yes. But as candidate for Governor?” “I am not a candidate for Governor.” “Not formally. But you’re going to be. What about this German school bill then? Will you oppose it?” “I certainly won’t dodge it. Are you going to pass on this conversation to ‘Smiling Mart’ Embree?” “Not if it’s confidential.” “Then I think this latter part is, for the present. To be quite frank, I don’t want to meet that issue till I have to.” “You’re right. It’ll probably beat you.” “Possibly. But if the issue is once raised, it won’t die out of people’s minds readily. That’s something.” He paused, then added casually: “By the way, our first meeting was in a pretty German atmosphere. Do you recall the meeting where little Miss Ames stood up for the flag? That took character.” Jeremy’s face became wistful. “Do you ever hear from her--Miss Ames?”