Mr. HOLLIDAY: “They,” not “them.” Exception. And “are” instead of “is.” Gentlemen, I have no wish to prejudice the case for my client, but I must point out that if you wait until he is a little older he may be dead. Mr. BOYNTON: So much the better. We can then consider his works in their complete state and with reference to his entire life. Mr. HOLLIDAY: But it would then be impossible to give any assistance to Mr. Tarkington. The chance to influence his work would have passed. Mr. BROWNELL: That is relatively unimportant. Mr. HOLLIDAY: I beg pardon but Mr. Tarkington feels it rather important to him. Mr. BOYNTON: My dear Mr. Holliday, you really must remember that it is not what seems important to Mr. Tarkington that can count with us, but what is important in our eyes. Mr. HOLLIDAY: Self-importance. Mr. BOYNTON (_stiffly_): Certainly not. Merely self-confidence. But on my own behalf I may say this: I am unwilling to consider Mr. Tarkington’s works in this place at this time; but I am willing to pass judgment in an article for a newspaper or a monthly magazine or some other purely perishable medium. That should be sufficient for Mr. Tarkington. Mr. FOLLETT: I think the possibility of considering Mr. Tarkington must be ruled out, anyway, as one or more of his so-called works have first appeared serially in the _Saturday Evening Post_. Mr. HOLLIDAY (_noting the effect of this revelation on the members of the court_): Very well, I will not insist. Booth, you will have to get along the best you can with newspaper and magazine reviews and with what people write to you or tell you face to face. Be brave, Tark, and do as you aren’t done by. After all, a few million people read you and you make enough to live on. The court will pass on you after you are dead, and if you dictate any books on the ouija board the court’s verdict may be helpful to you then; you might even manage the later Henry James manner. CLERK OF THE COURT (_Prof. William Lyon Phelps_): Next case! Mrs. Atherton please step forward! Mrs. ATHERTON (_advancing with composure_): I can find no one to act for me, so I will be my own counsel. I will say at the outset that I do not care for the court, individually or collectively, nor for its verdict, whatever it may be. Prof. PHELPS: I must warn you that anything you say may, and probably will, be used against you. Mrs. ATHERTON: Oh, I don’t mind that; it’s the things the members of the court have said against me that I purpose to use against them. Mr. BROWNELL: Are you, by any chance, referring to me, Madam? Mrs. ATHERTON: I do not refer to persons, Mr. Brownell. I hit them. No, I had Mr. Boynton particularly in mind. And perhaps Gene Stratton-Porter. Is she here? (_Looks around menacingly_). No. Well, go ahead with your nonsense. Mr. HOWELLS (_rising_): I think I will withdraw from consideration of this case. Mrs. Atherton has challenged me so often---- Mr. BOYNTON: No, stay. _I_ am going to stick it out----