Establishment by Howard Fast Page B

and corporate law, and the firm had been Dan Lavette’s lawyers since 1910. It was now known as Goldberg, Benchly and Baxter. As Barbara had, Harvey Baxter had worshipped Sam Goldberg, and he considered Barbara his personal responsibility, inherited from the senior partner.
    Now he asked Barbara why she would not come to his office, and she replied that there they would be constantly interrupted.
    â€œOf course not,” Baxter said. “You know I stop all my calls when you come to see me.”
    â€œWhereas here, my dear Harvey, we are only interrupted by Gino, who tells me how beautiful I am, and today I need that. It is not absolutely the best day of my life. This was handed to me yesterday.” She took the subpoena out of her purse and gave it to him.
    Gino hovered over them while Baxter read it slowly and painstakingly. “Shall I order for you?” Barbara asked.
    â€œAnything.”
    Barbara ordered salad, spaghetti, and veal cutlets. Baxter finished his careful reading and looked at her thoughtfully.
    â€œI read it,” Barbara said.
    â€œThen you know what it is. This is a subpoena to appear in Washington ten days from now to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. It’s outrageous and, if I may say so, rather disgusting.”
    â€œYou may say so.”
    â€œDid Bernie also receive a subpoena?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThat’s very curious.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIsn’t it obvious, Barbara? He fought in Spain. That might explain it, the way things are today. But you? That’s simply outrageous.”
    Barbara shrugged.
    â€œI think Bernie should be included in any discussion of this. If you’re subpoenaed, it stands to reason that he will be.”
    â€œNot really,” Barbara said. “From all I’ve read of their methods, they love publicity. No one knows Bernie. I’m a reasonably well-known writer and I’m Dan Lavette’s daughter.”
    â€œThat still doesn’t explain anything. You’re not a communist.”
    â€œI certainly am not.”
    â€œWhat about front organizations? Civil rights? Committees to free Tom Mooney—that sort of thing?”
    â€œNo, I’m not a joiner, Harvey.”
    â€œI very strongly suggest we discuss this with Bernie.”
    â€œHe’s out of town.”
    â€œOut of town? Where? We’ll call him.”
    â€œNo, we can’t, Harvey. I don’t want Bernie involved in this.”
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œI’m sorry. I can’t tell you that.”
    â€œDoes he know about this subpoena?”
    â€œNo. And I don’t want him to know about it.”
    â€œBarbara, when you appear before the committee, the whole world will know about this.”
    â€œThat’s ten days from now. By then it won’t matter.”
    â€œWhat won’t matter? Must I remind you that I am your attorney, that anything you tell me is privileged?”
    â€œI know that, Harvey,” Barbara said gently. “I’m not trying to keep secrets from you. But I know how you think, and if I tell you where Bernie is, you are going to be so angry and so upset that we’ll never make any sense out of this stupid subpoena. I don’t want to talk about Bernie. I want to talk about what I am going to do.”
    â€œThat’s very comforting.”
    The waiter came with their food.
    â€œNow please eat,” Barbara said. “I’m just starved, and I don’t eat out very often these days, and I love the food here, and I won’t feel a bit comfortable if I eat and you don’t.”
    â€œYou are an extraordinary woman.”
    â€œNot at all, Harvey, just hungry. We’ll eat, and you’ll explain this ridiculous business to me. I read about the writers and directors in Hollywood. They’re going to prison, aren’t they? Does that mean that I’ll go to prison?”
    â€œNo! For heaven’s sake,