MEET ME ON THE BARRICADES

Unhappy, dispirited, he continued his walk, all
visions of a united front shattered by the thought of
the exile in Mexico. A

—And just when unity is needed most: executions,
charges, recrimination. But if these things are true
then who can be certain of anything? But still, the
reporters who were at the trials said it was fair.
Denny, Duranty. . . .

A wave of the wand of his imagination brought
Walter Duranty and the Soviet Ambassador to his
side. He sighed with relief.

“You’ve arrived in the nick of time, Mr. Duranty.
I was just thinking of Trotsky and the Moscow
trials.”

“Simpson, I want you to meet his Excellency,
the Soviet Ambassador.”

“How do you do, your Excellency?”

“Ahm dunt spikink warry good Angleesh, Meester
Seemson.”

——Don’t be silly, all these ambassadors are cul-
tured people, speak dozens of languages.

“Charmed, I’m sure,” said the Ambassador in
correct English.

—-More like it, Simpson thought.

“I’d like to ask a few questions on the Moscow
trials, if you don’t _mind, your Excellency.”

89