They all, however, treated his letter on the city government of Carlsbad as the praise of municipal socialism, and the paper which had fun with him gleefully congratulated the dangerous classes on the accession of the Honorable Jacob to their ranks.
Stoller read the articles, one after another, with parted lips and gathering drops of perspiration on his upper lip, while Burnamy waited on foot.

He flung the papers all down at last.

"Why, they're a pack of fools! They don't know what they're talking about! I want city government carried on on business principles, by the people, for the people.

I don't care what they say! I know I'm right, and I'm going ahead on this line if it takes all--" The note of defiance died out of his voice at the sight of Burnamy's pale face.

"What's the matter with you ?" "There's nothing the matter with me." "Do you mean to tell me it is"-- he could not bring himself to use the word--"what they say ?" "I suppose," said Burnamy, with a dry mouth, "it's what you may call municipal socialism." Stoller jumped from his seat.