"Well?" said Garwood, not too cordially. "Of course you know that the _News_ is the accepted organ of the people, that is, the great mass of the common people here in Grand Prairie and,--ah--I might say in Polk County." "So I've heard," said Garwood. "Thus far, you may have noticed, we have been neutral, that is, I should say, independent, as between you and Judge Bromley." Garwood was looking out of his window down into the court house square, where the winds played with the rubbish that always litters the streets of Grand Prairie. He made no reply, and Pusey eyed him out of his swimming little eyes. "Yes," continued Pusey, pinching his chin, "we have waited to see how events would shape themselves before--ah--" Garwood grunted, and Pusey went on: "Yes--ah--I had come to the conclusion that perhaps our best course would be to support you, inasmuch as you're our fellow townsman--and it occurred to me that perhaps a write-up would do you some good, that is, with the great mass of the common people, the laboring people generally, you understand." "I should be obliged to you, of course," said Garwood. "H-m-m, yes," answered Pusey, "I presume so. But--if I--that is, we, were to give you such a write-up and run your cut, you would, I presume, be ready to take twenty or thirty thousand copies for distribution?" "What would it cost?" said Garwood. "Well--at two cents a copy--you can--" "I see," said Garwood, "for your support you would expect about five hundred dollars." "I did not put it in that light," said Pusey, spitting, and trying to assume a dignity. "No, but I--" "You can see, of course, Mr. Garwood--a man of your experience can readily see, that a paper like the _News_ can hardly afford to give up its valuable space to that which is not strictly news matter without some hope of compensation." "I see," said Garwood, "but to be frank with you, Pusey," he turned and looked straight into the little man's watery eyes, "I can't afford it. This campaign, into which I sometimes wish I hadn't gone, has proved expensive, and my practice has suffered, so that I need all the money at my command for more immediate and pressing expenses." "You do not consider this immediate and pressing then?" said Pusey. "Well, not exactly," Garwood replied. "Would you?" Pusey was silent for a while. When he spoke he said: "There are certain passages in your life, Mr. Garwood, which just now--" Garwood glared at Pusey. "So that's the game, is it?" he said. His tone was low, for he was calculating carefully the part he had to play. The little man was revolving his straw hat on the head of his stick, and he wore a grin about his moist mouth. Garwood had mastered his anger, but Pusey had to wait some time before he spoke. Presently he did so.