Eh?

MAYNARD

[To Pollen.

Any news I’ve missed?

GROSVENOR

How’s that?  They’re shouting “War” already.

POLLEN

[Calmly.

I told ’em to.  That was the message I sent down.  That shout gave you a thrill, didn’t it?  Well, that was what I was after.  If I don’t hold you down in your chair you’ll rush out to buy a copy, even though I should stand here all night, shouting in your ears that it’s a fake.

GROSVENOR

[Shocked.

You are inflaming the people!

POLLEN

Exactly.  There have been people unkind enough to assert that that was my business.  What’s yours, Grosvenor?

GROSVENOR

Eh?

[Hotly.

What d’ye mean?

CONROY

You’re livin’ in a crystal palace, Grosvenor.  Don’t you go and forget that.

GROSVENOR

[Indignantly.

I—­

MAYNARD

[To Grosvenor.

I’ve got to get back to the House, Mr. Grosvenor.  I just came over to see if you had any—­suggestions?

GROSVENOR

[Testily.

No.  Only keep me posted.  That’s all.

[Expanding again.

And remember, our honor as a nation is at stake.

MAYNARD

They’re not forgetting our honor while I’m on the floor.

CONROY

[Drawing MAYNARD aside as he is about to go out, and whispering.

Need any—­ready money?

MAYNARD

[Grinning.

There were a half dozen brethren on the steps as I came out, who implied they were broke, and wouldn’t object to a loan.

CONROY

[Taking a wallet from his pocket and handing it to Maynard, after he has made sure that Grosvenor and Pollen are not looking.

Here.  Help the poor devils along.

MAYNARD

Thanks.  I will.

[PAGE enters right, with a card on a salver.

PAGE

Senator Taney?

MAYNARD