My Library

"What’s the matter?" I asked. "Well," Janet began as if she were about to burst into incandescent energy, "you won’t believe this one. The publishing committee has refused to publish the papers! And they won’t say why!" I was so astonished that I failed to comprehend what she had just said. So I asked: "What did you say?" She clarified the issue by a stream of four-letter words -- which I understood much more clearly. I was so stunned I had to sit down -- and light up the biggest cigar I had with me. Thus began one of the biggest scandals which was to shake the venerable, historical Society to its foundations. Even Dr. Osis, the Research Director of the Society, had tears in his eyes. Indeed, everyone did. And, to make matters worse, the reception was but nine days ahead. No one, not even various Board members could influence the publishing committee to change its mind. The arguments and fights were tremendous. But an excuse was rendered up by the publishing committee under tremendous pressure to do so.