.. Emma Silverman choked with laughter. Jack Leitman rolled over the
side table on which he had set the books to sell as the crowd passed
out--
After the deafening cries, cat-calls and uproars, Emma grew serious.
"I don't know who you are," she cried to Professor Wilton, "but I'll
take chances in telling you that you're a liar!"
Again Wilton was on his feet in angry protest.
"Shame on you, woman! have you no shame!" he shouted.
This sally brought the house down utterly. The boys hooted and
cat-called and stamped again....
Emma Silverman laughed till the tears streamed down her face....
* * * * *
During the four days she remained in Laurel her lectures were crowded.
* * * * *
Walking up the hill one day, I overtook Professor Wilton, under whom I
had studied botany, and whom I liked, knowing he was sincere and had
spoken the incredible though absolute truth.
"That woman, that anarchist friend of yours, Gregory, is a coarse
woman!"
I rose to Emma's defence ... but he kept repeating ... "no, no ... she
is nothing but a coarse, depraved woman."
* * * * *
At my instigation, the Sig-Kaps gave an afternoon tea for her. And I was
proud to act as her introducer. The boys liked her. She was like a good
gale of wind to the minds and souls of us.
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