would have aroused their ire before he opened his vainglorious mouth.
Let the fact remain that this slim, beflanneled example of perverted masculinity could and did get several hundred women to listen to him.
Now, as a matter of fact, it happened that I had given a
far more radical lecture at the monthly dinner of the University
Club, where three hundred men of Los Angeles had
heard me with every evidence of cordial interest. The secretary
of the club had told me that it was the only occasion he
could remember when none of the diners had withdrawn to
play chess until after the speaking was finished. But I had,
of course, no way to make known this fact to the readers of
the "Times," nor even the true sentiments of the ladies of the
Friday Morning Club. It happened that my friend George
Sterling spoke at the club the following week, and I went with
him and was asked to speak at the luncheon. I referred playfully
to what the "Times" had said about me, and was
astonished at the ovation I received. The women rose from
their seats to let me know that they appreciated the insult to
them involved in the "Times" editorial. It is the same thing
that I have noted everywhere, whenever I refer to the subject
of our newspapers. The American people thoroughly despise
and hate their newspapers; yet they seem to have no idea what
to do about it, and take it for granted that they must go on
reading falsehoods for the balance of their days!
