The Washington times., 1916-01-12
But She Failed Utterly in
Her Purpose, Because as
Long as She Talked She
Said Something Yes
and Even Provided Copy
From the Very Nature Of
the Interview Itself.

ness was dlspelIed just in time to
prevent q question delivered I'm a
very loud tone, and the next i'm
pulse TO speak also in a whisper was
strangled with effort.
well, don't suppose II is anything.
! can't see you. I came for that:
My interviews arc mainly derived
from looking at people. must say
frankly that | am surprised"
The shadowy shape in the corner
of the box admitted that there might
have been more light. or at least
some light: and then added. But this
must be about something. Must be
founded on something. what is Il yon
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 / was three years old.
There's nothing new. absolutely
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 It 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
ulay-ali of that is all the same.
twenty years ago they were making
the same complaints and saying the
same things and hoping for the
same hopes that they are today.
What's the use of formulating lot
of ideas"
"a nf the
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 that this Is as unpleas-
ant to me as II IL to you. 1t Is so
artificial, this meeting % strange
people. What can you possibly
forced acquaintance what IN il Is
natural? Nothing. nothing"
The whisper died away. and one
of those awful silences, which made
the darkness nifty times more dense,
began to descend.
I'VE are both goats, victims" the
interviewer volunteered. and then,
aghast. added: But l beg pardon.
/ didn't mean to call you a goat.
then the gacious lady behind the
whisper came to the rescue.
The Strain Too Great.
''of course, OF course; that is-I I'M
derstand; / see. OF course. But
what is this TO be about? 1t
must be about something. What
Is II you want? Let's decide on
something. This must be about some
thing definite" But the strain had
been too great. The llght-or 1t would
kill. 1T Is ali over. The worst is
past. This interview is closed"
The interviewer nobly stood up and
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. 'tY1s, yes. l
will let you see me, but promise
nothing that has not been said
here will be told Of She IVES
promised.
Lets see Let's see Have I said
anything. have ! said anything"
With perfect gravity 1t was deter
mined that she had not. and out
into the blessed light we broke.
Mercilessly she was stood under
the light, and examined. The brill
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 swathed IN mystery
she made her adieus.
Which More At Sea?
Which one was more at sen?
Which one more uncomfortable. Mrs.
Fiske or the interviewer?
That is impossible 20 answer. But
in all fairness II must he stated
that from the haven Of her drcss-
ing room the voice If Mrs. Fisle
was raised for a moment to its
natural pitch. IN see you some
time in different way. can't
stand the artiflciality 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 be-
ginning OF this interview the reader
ha thu most renap FlS a HE ODtiun-