“Certainly not, Mr. Burnaby,” said Fred. “I can take nothing that I have not earned.”
“Now my dear young friend, listen to me. I know that you are poor.”
“I am very poor.”
“And I am rich.”
“That has nothing to do with it. Can you put me in the way of earning anything by literature? I will accept any such kindness as that at your hand; but nothing else.”
“I cannot. I have no means of doing so.”
“You know so many authors and so many publishers.”
“Though I knew all the authors and all the publishers, what can I do? Excuse me if I say that you have not served the apprenticeship that is necessary.”
“And do all authors serve apprenticeships?”
“Certainly not. And it may be that you will rise to wealth and fame without apprenticeship;—but if so you must do it without help.”