"Hmp! Want to be a reporter, do you?"

Warren, city editor on the Advocate, leaned back in his chair and
looked Jeff over sharply.

"Yes."

"It's a hell of a life. Better keep out."

"I'd like to try it."

"Any experience?"

"Only correspondence. I've had two years at college."

The city editor snorted. He had the unreasoning contempt for
college men so often found in the old-time newspaper hack.

"Then you don't want to be a reporter. You want to be a
journalist," he jeered.

"They kicked me out," Jeff went on quietly.

"Sounds better. Why?"

Jeff hesitated. "I got drunk."

"Can't use you," Warren cut in hastily.

"I've quit--sworn off."