"I have no reflections to make upon Mr.Landau,"Colonel Woodburn continued,and Fulkerson felt grateful to him for going on;"I do not agree with Mr.Lindau;I totally disagree with him on sociological points;but the course of the conversation had invited him to the expression of his convictions,and he had a right to express them,so far as they had no personal bearing.""Of course,"said Fulkerson,while Miss Woodburn perched on the arm of her father's chair.
"At the same time,sir,I think that if Mr.Dryfoos felt a personal censure in Mr.Lindau's questions concerning his suppression of the strike among his workmen,he had a right to resent it.""Exactly,"Fulkerson assented.
"But it must be evident to you,sir,that a high-spirited gentleman like Mr.March--I confess that my feelings are with him very warmly in the matter--could not submit to dictation of the nature you describe.""Yes,I see,"said Fulkerson;and,with that strange duplex action of the human mind,he wished that it was his hair,and not her father's,that Miss Woodburn was poking apart with the corner of her fan.
"Mr.Lindau,"the colonel concluded,"was right from his point of view,and Mr.Dryfoos was equally right.The position of Mr.March is perfectly correct--"His daughter dropped to her feet from his chair-arm."Mah goodness!
If nobody's in the wrong,ho'awe you evah going to get the mattah straight?""Yes,you see,"Fulkerson added,"nobody can give in.""Pardon me,"said the colonel,"the case is one in which all can give in.""I don't know which 'll begin,"said Fulkerson.
The colonel rose."Mr.Lindau must begin,sir.We must begin by seeing Mr.Lindau,and securing from him the assurance that in the expression of his peculiar views he had no intention of offering any personal offence to Mr.Dryfoos.If I have formed a correct estimate of Mr.Lindau,this will be perfectly simple."Fulkerson shook his head."But it wouldn't help.Dryfoos don't care a rap whether Lindau meant any personal offence or not.As far as that is concerned,he's got a hide like a hippopotamus.But what he hates is Lindau's opinions,and what he says is that no man who holds such opinions shall have any work from him.And what March says is that no man shall be punished through him for his opinions,he don't care what they are."The colonel stood a moment in silence."And what do you expect me to do under the circumstances?""I came to you for advice--I thought you might suggest----?""Do you wish me to see Mr.Dryfoos?"
"Well,that's about the size of it,"Fulkerson admitted."You see,colonel,"he hastened on,"I know that you have a great deal of influence with him;that article of yours is about the only thing he's ever read in 'Every Other Week,'and he's proud of your acquaintance.Well,you know"--and here Fulkerson brought in the figure that struck him so much in Beaton's phrase and had been on his tongue ever since--"you're the man on horseback to him;and he'd be more apt to do what you say than if anybody else said it.""You are very good,sir,"said the colonel,trying to be proof against the flattery,"but I am afraid you overrate my influence."Fulkerson let him ponder it silently,and his daughter governed her impatience by holding her fan against her lips.Whatever the process was in the colonel's mind,he said at last:"I see no good reason for declining to act for you,Mr.Fulkerson,and I shall be very happy if I can be of service to you.But"--he stopped Fulkerson from cutting in with precipitate thanks--"I think I have a right,sir,to ask what your course will be in the event of failure?""Failure?"Fulkerson repeated,in dismay.
"Yes,sir.I will not conceal from you that this mission is one not wholly agreeable to my feelings.""Oh,I understand that,colonel,and I assure you that I appreciate,I--""There is no use trying to blink the fact,sir,that there are certain aspects of Mr.Dryfoos's character in which he is not a gentleman.
We have alluded to this fact before,and I need not dwell upon it now:Imay say,however,that my misgivings were not wholly removed last night.""No,"Fulkerson assented;though in his heart he thought the old man had behaved very well.
"What I wish to say now is that I cannot consent to act for you,in this matter,merely as an intermediary whose failure would leave the affair in state quo.""I see,"said Fulkerson.
"And I should like some intimation,some assurance,as to which party your own feelings are with in the difference."The colonel bent his eyes sharply on Fulkerson;Miss Woodburn let hers fall;Fulkerson felt that he was being tested,and he said,to gain time,"As between Lindau and Dryfoos?"though he knew this was not the point.
"As between Mr.Dryfoos and Mr.March,"said the colonel.
Fulkerson drew a long breath and took his courage in both hands."There can't be any choice for me in such a case.I'm for March,every time."The colonel seized his hand,and Miss Woodburn said,"If there had been any choice fo'you in such a case,I should never have let papa stir a step with you.""Why,in regard to that,"said the colonel,with a,literal application of the idea,"was it your intention that we should both go?""Well,I don't know;I suppose it was."
"I think it will be better for me to go alone,"said the colonel;and,with a color from his experience in affairs of honor,he added:"In these matters a principal cannot appear without compromising his dignity.
I believe I have all the points clearly in mind,and I think I should act more freely in meeting Mr.Dryfoos alone."Fulkerson tried to hide the eagerness with which he met these agreeable views.He felt himself exalted in some sort to the level of the colonel's sentiments,though it would not be easy to say whether this was through the desperation bred of having committed himself to March's side,or through the buoyant hope he had that the colonel would succeed in his mission.
"I'm not afraid to talk with Dryfoos about it,"he said.
