The three men were lunching classic short ugg late at Delmonico's, and talking politics, when Edmonds leaned forward in his seat to look toward the entrance.
     "There's Severance," said he. "What's the matter with him?"
     The professional infuser of excitements approached walking carefully among the tables. His eyes burned in a white face.
     "On one of his sprees," diagnosed Banneker. "Oh, Severance! Sit down here."
     "I beg your p-p-pardon." Severance spoke with marked deliberation and delicacy, but with a classic short uggs faint stammer. "These not b-being office hours, I have not the p-pleasure of your acquaintance."
     Marrineal smiled.
     "The p-pale rictus of the damned," observed Severance. "As one damned soul to another, I c-confess a longing for companionship of m-my own sort. Therefore I accept your invitation. Waiter, a Scotch h-highball."
     "We were talking of--" began Banneker, when the newcomer broke in:
     "Talk of m-me. Of me mens uggs on sale and m-my work. I exult in my w-work. L-like Mr. Whitman, I celebrate myself. I p-point with pride. What think you, gentlemen, of to-day's paper in honor of which I have t-taken my few drinks?"
     "If you mean the Territon story," growled Edmonds, "it's rotten."
     "Precisely. I thank you for your g-golden opinion. Rotten. Exactly as intended."
     "Put a woman's good name on trial and ugg boots sale sentence it on hearsay without appeal or recourse."
     "There is always the danger of going too far along those lines," pointed out Marrineal judicially.
     "Pardon me, all-wise Proprietor. The d-danger lies in not going far enough. The frightful p-peril of being found dull."
     "The Territon story assays too thin in facts, as we've put it out. If Mrs. Territon doesn't leave her husband now for ugg boots sale McLaurin," opined Marrineal, "we are in a difficult position. I happen to know her and I very much doubt--"
     "Doubt not at all, d-doubting Tertius. The very fact of our publishing the story will force her hand. It's an achievement, that story. No other p-paper has a line of it."