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He started me reading good books, and now he was instrumental in getting me to resume my education.

When you left Townsend Harris to go to Packard, did they say anything? Did they try to encourage you to stay on?

Oh, sure. I was by this time writing stories for the high school magazine. I was one of the top students there. And also, I was on the soccer team. I could see a soccer ball! But I was determined I was going to make money. And when I started working for the accounting firm, suddenly I was making about $50 a week.

Plus all your mother's money, too.

Well, that was untouchable to me. Pop at least had enough sense to say, “That's got to start you in business some day. Put that away.”

How did you start writing? Was there one teacher who encouraged you to do this?

In public school I wrote an entire little newspaper by hand. You're born wanting to do things like that.

Is this why you chose the Columbia School of Journalism?