greatest private library in the world. Here poor and immignant scholars come, along with the best educated Americans' to increase the knowledge and prosperity of the world. Why does it exist? Because one rich playboy had the misfortune to set sail sixteen years ago on a pleasure boat called the Titanic. I suggest, ladies and gentlemen, that not until the people of America hand each and every member of the ruling class a ticket for his own private cabin on the Titanic of capitalism, will the hoarded wealth of this great contmient be freed and devoted to the service of liberty, equality and progress!
As Matthew listened to Crosby's speech, his sentiments changed from exultation that, by this blunder, the victory had been secured for his side, through embarrassment at the behaviour of his adversary, to rage at the reference to the Titanic. He had no idea how William would respond to such provocation.
When some measure of silence had been restored, the captain walked to the lectern and said: 'Mr. William Lowell Kane.'
William strode to the platform and looked out over the audience. An expectant hush filled the room.
'It is my opinion that the views expressed by Mr. Crosby do not merit a response.'
He sat down. There was a moment of surprise silence and then loud applause.
The captain returned to the platform, but appeared uncertain what to do, A voice from behind him broke the tension.
'If I may, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Kane if I might use his rebuttal time.' It was Thaddeus Cohen.
William nodded his agreement to the captain.
Cohen walked to the lectern and blinked at the audience disarmingly. 'It has long been true,' he began, 'that the greatest obstacle to the successful democratic socialism in the United States has been the extremism of some of its allies. Nothing could have exemplified this unfortunate fact more clearly than my colleague's speech tonight. The propensity to damage the progressive cause by calling for the physical extermination of those who oppose it might be understandable in a battle - hardened immigrant, a veteran of foreign struggles fiercer than our own. In America it is pathetic and inexcusable. Speaking for myself, I extend my sincere apologies to Mr.
Kane.'
This time the applause was instantaneous. Virtually the entire audience rose to its feet and clapped continuously.
William walked over to shake hands with Thaddeus Cohen. It was no surprise to either of them that William and Matthew won the vote by a margin of more than one hundred and fifty votes. The evening was over, and the audience filed out into the silent, snow - covered paths, walking in the middle of the street, talking animatedly at the tops of their voices. , William insisted that Thaddeus Cohen should join him and Matthew for a drink. They set off together across Massachusetts Avenue, barely able to see where they were going in the drifting snow, and came to a halt outside a big black door almost directly opposite Boylston Hall. William opened it with his key and the three entered the vestibule.
Before the door shut behind him, Thaddeus Cohen spoke. 'I'm afraid I won't be welcome here!
William looked startled for a second. 'Nonsense. You're with me.'
Matthew gave his friend a cautionary glance but saw that William was determined.
They went up the stairs and into a large - room, comfortably but not luxuriously furnished, in which there were about a dozen 'young men sitting in armchairs or standing in small knots of two and three. As soon as William appeared in the doorway, the congratulations started.
'You were marvellous, William. That's exactly the way to treat those sort of people!
'Enter in triumph, Bolski slayer.'
Thaddeus Cohen hung back, still half - shadowed by the doorway, but William had not forgotten him.
'Amd, gentlemen, may I present my worthy adversary, Mr. Thaddeus Cohen.'
Cohen stepped forward hesitantly.
All noise ceased. A number of heads were averted, as if they were looking at the elm trees in the yard, their branches weighed down with new snow.
Finally, there was the crack of a floorboard as one young man left the room by another door. Then there was another departure. Without haste, without apparent agreement, the entire group filed out. The last to leave gave William a long look before he, too, turned on his heel and disappeared.
Matthew gazed at his companions in dismay. Thaddeus Cohen had turned a dull red and stood with his head bowed. William's lips were drawn together in the same tight cold fury that had been apparent