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Back The Intruder Save as PDF
Chapters (32)
  1. By the Same Author
  2. Introduction by Roger Corman
  3. THE INTRUDER
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  32. About the Author

“That’s the most important thing to understand about the problem,” Paton said. “It’s a war in which you must defeat your own side.” He smiled bitterly. “Which almost makes us espionage agents. That’s right. I’m a saboteur, Miss Angoff. And saboteurs have always been more effective than assassins.”

“I’m sorry,” the English teacher said.

“Don’t be, there’s no reason for it. Direct action is wholesome. It’s honest. There is, please believe me, nothing I would rather do than go out and shake some sense into these people. I have arguments, just as you do, that are completely unassailable. Dialec­tically you and I could tear down the whole wormy edifice of segregation. We could call the children into the assembly hall this afternoon and lecture to them. But if we did that, we’d strike the most telling blow of all against the thing we want. I know that to be true.” He slammed the 8-ball down on the desk. Suddenly he looked angry. “This young demagogue, Cramer—he can do a lot of harm. But it’s nothing compared to the harm we can do, simply by telling the truth.”

“I’m ashamed of myself,” Miss Angoff said.

“So am I! I’m ashamed every time I sit at that table and listen to Harkins and Peterson talk about their law and order—as though this were the issue! I’m ashamed every time I tell that whole PTA crowd that integration is very bad, of course, but we must be good citizens and obey the law, though we may quarrel with it. Every time I hear an unthinking remark, or see one of those illit­erate orange posters, or think of Simon’s Hill—I’m ashamed.”

Somewhere, far from Paton’s consciousness, a bell rang shrilly. He folded his hands and spoke in a soft voice. “Not so ashamed, though,” he said, “as I would be if I were to weaken now, when we’re so close.”

The door opened and a blonde girl came in. “Jimmy Foster wants to see you, Mr. Paton,” she said.

The principal glanced up. “All right, Leona. Tell Jimmy to come in.” Then to Miss Angoff: “Remember, I’ll deny it.”

“You won’t have to.”

As she walked down the teeming hall, Agnes Angoff thought about Harley Paton, and about the many faces of courage.

Hers was burning red.

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