"Oh---ah---Prescott, Richard Prescott?" inquired Mr. Gadsby.
"Some of us were a bit surprised this evening to learn that Prescott,
though he will continue to attend High School, has also taken
a position with 'The Morning Blade.' Among other things to which
he will attend, after this, Cantwell, is the matter of school
doings in this city. He is to be the regular reporter of School
Board meetings. Rather a young man to wield the power of the
press isn't he?" Mr. Gladsby chuckled at his own joke.

"'Power of the press'?" murmured Mr. Cantwell, uncomfortably.
"Surely you don't mean, Gadsby, that this mere boy, this High
School student, is going to be taken here seriously as representing
the undoubtedly great power of the press?"

"To some extent, yes," admitted Mr. Gadsby. "'The Blade,' as
you may know, is a good deal of a power in local politics. Now,
some of us---er---did not win our re-elections by any too large
margins. A little dangerous opposition to---er---some of us---would
mean a few new faces around the table at Board meetings. Mr.
Pollock is---er---a most estimable citizen, and a useful man in
the community. Yet Mr. Pollock is---er---Cantwell---er---that
is, a bit 'touchy.' No matter if Pollock's reporter is a schoolboy,
if we treated the boy with any lack of consideration, then Pollock
would most certainly take umbrage at what he would choose to consider
a slight upon himself, received through his representative. So
at these Board meetings, young Prescott will have to be treated
with as much courtesy as though he were really a man, for Pollock's
hostility would be most disastrous to us---er---to some of us,
possibly, I mean. But, really, young Prescott is a most bright