The Washington times., 1916-01-12
MRS. Fiske Rises in Futile Rebellion
Against the San1eness of All Interviews
But She Failed Utterly in
Her Purpose, Because as
Long as She Talked She
Said Something-Yes-
and Even Provided Copy
From the Very Mature Of
the Interview Itself.

ness was dispellod just in time to
prevent q question delivered in
very loud tone. and the next i'm
pulse to speak also in a whisper was
strangled with effort.
well, don't suppose it is anything.
| can't see YOU. l came for that.
My interviews arc mainly derived
from looking at people. must say
frankly that I am surprised"
The shadowy shape in the corner
of the box admitted thai there might
some light: and then added, But this
must be about something. Must be
founded on something. what is II yo"
want me to say?" And then the
whisper became a little louder.
There's Nothing New.
you know this Is so silly. This
interviewing. nave been interview
ed since I was three years old.
nothing. / have been interviewed on
every subject under the sun. There
is nothing new. nothing"
A few perfectly asinine questions
were hazarded, but the impression
that 1t was wrong to make anyone
talk who was so manifestly anxious
to save the voice all of the strain
possible, acted like an iron clamp on
the interviewer.
The stage, the great American
play-sI of that Is all the same.
Twenty years ago they were making
the same complaints and saying the
same things and hon!ng for the
same hopes that they are toda!.
What's the use of formulating a lot
of ideas"
NV managers think that / should
see a representative OF the press.
Your managers think that an inter-
view by you from me would be IN
teresting. The result is that we are
both victims. | wonder; no. ! don't
doubt but chat this is as unpleas-
artificial, this meeting % strange
people. What can you possibly
know of me? Or / of you? In this
forced acquaintance what in it is
natural? Nothing. nothing"
The whisper died away. and one
Of those awful silences. which made
the darkness fifty times more dense,
began to descend.
We are both goats. victims the
interviewer volunteered. and then.
sghast. added: But I beg pardon.
! didn't mean to call you goat.
] meant th8t-er-a-er-a-- and
then the gacious lady behind the
whisper came to the rescue.
The Strain Too Great.
"of course, OF course; that isl un-
derstand; see. OF course. But
what is this to be about? 1t
must be about something. What
is it you want? Let's decide on
something. This must be about some
thing definite" But the strain had
ha ~
kill. 1T Is ali over The worst Is
past. This interview Is closed"
The interviewer nobly stood up and
gave up the ghost.
The lady In the shadow came
closer. You are sure 1t Is perfect
ly correct now? ! trust you. my
dear child. not TO write anything
that will not be dignified. not be
true
A cold hand Clasped mine and the
whisper was a little clearer than
before.
You know that you promised me
one look in the light remember"
she was reminded. Yes. yes, l
will let YOU see me. bu! promise
here will be told Of She was
promised.
Lets see. Let's see. Have I said
anything. have ! said anything"
With perfect gravity II was deter
mined that she had no., and out
into the blessed light we broke.
Mercilessly she was stood under
the light. and examined. The bril-
liant blue eyes. the firm mouth, the
neat chin. all were taken note OF.
A white lace veil suddenly shut all
OF that off. and swathcd m mystery
she made her adieus.
Which More At Sea?
Which one was more AT So"
Which one more unco nfortable. Mrs.
Fiske or the interviewer?
That is impossible 20 answer. Bu'
in all fairness ii must he stated
that from the haven of her dro,sS-
ing room the voice II Mrs. FisI;e
was raised for moment to its
natural pitch. IN see YOU some
time in different way. can't
stand the artificiality of stage in
terviews. Some day I'd like TO know
you more naturally" she said.
II this story does not answer the
two questions propOunded at the H"-
ginning OF this interview the reader
must be the most remarkable optim-
ist in the world,