SENATOR:  Of course this state, Mr Fejevary, appropriates no money for radicals.  Excuse me, but why do you keep this man Holden?

FEJEVARY:  In the scholar’s world we’re known because of him.  And really, Holden’s not a radical—­in the worst sense.  What he doesn’t see is—­expediency.  Not enough the man of affairs to realize that we can’t always have literally what we have theoretically.  He’s an idealist.  Something of the—­man of vision.

SENATOR:  If he had the right vision he’d see that we don’t every minute have literally what we have theoretically because we’re fighting to keep the thing we have.  Oh, I sometimes think the man of affairs has the only vision.  Take you, Mr Fejevary—­a banker.  These teachers—­books—­books! (pushing all books back) Why, if they had to take for one day the responsibility that falls on your shoulders—­big decisions to make—­man among men—­and all the time worries, irritations, particularly now with labour riding the high horse like a fool!  I know something about these things.  I went to the State House because my community persuaded me it was my duty.  But I’m the man of affairs myself.

FEJEVARY:  Oh yes, I know.  Your company did much to develop that whole northern part of the state.

SENATOR:  I think I may say we did.  Well, that’s why, after three sessions, I’m chairman of the appropriations committee.  I know how to use money to promote the state.  So—­teacher?  That would be a perpetual vacation to me.  Now, if you want my advice, Mr Fejevary,—­I think your case before the state would be stronger if you let this fellow Holden go.

FEJEVARY:  I’m going to have a talk with Professor Holden.

SENATOR:  Tell him it’s for his own good.  The idea of a college professor standing up for conscientious objectors!

FEJEVARY:  That doesn’t quite state the case.  Fred Jordan was one of Holden’s students—­a student he valued.  He felt Jordan was perfectly sincere in his objection.

SENATOR:  Sincere in his objections!  The nerve of him thinking it was his business to be sincere!

FEJEVARY:  He was expelled from college—­you may remember; that was how we felt about it.

SENATOR:  I should hope so.

FEJEVARY:  Holden fought that, but within the college.  What brought him into the papers was his protest against the way the boy has been treated in prison.

SENATOR:  What’s the difference how he’s treated?  You know how I’d treat him? (a movement as though pulling a trigger) If I didn’t know you for the American you are, I wouldn’t understand your speaking so calmly.

FEJEVARY:  I’m simply trying to see it all sides around.

SENATOR:  Makes me see red.

FEJEVARY:  (with a smile) But we mustn’t meet red with red.

SENATOR:  What’s Holden fussing about—­that they don’t give him caviare on toast?

FEJEVARY:  That they didn’t give him books.  Holden felt it was his business to fuss about that.