They cited no authorities, and felt the need of none, being themselves the people thus celebrated.

And if the thing was questioned, or if it was hinted that there might be one small virtue in which they were not perfect and supreme, they wasted no time examining themselves to see if what the critic said was true, but fell upon him and hooted him and cursed him, for they were sensitive.

So Bibbs, learning their ways and walking with them, harkened to the voice of the people and served Bigness with them.
For the voice of the people is the voice of their god.
Sheridan had made the room next to his own into an office for Bibbs, and the door between the two rooms usually stood open--the father had established that intimacy.

One morning in February, when Bibbs was alone, Sheridan came in, some sheets of typewritten memoranda in his hand.
"Bibbs," he said, "I don't like to butt in very often this way, and when I do I usually wish I hadn't--but for Heaven's sake what have you been buying that ole busted inter-traction stock for ?" Bibbs leaned back from his desk.

"For eleven hundred and fifty-five dollars.