It would have been impossible to improve the arrangements made; the great thing was to publish the first number at the time advertised. Everything was ready, but at the last moment we lacked the necessary funds and credit.
Alas! I had put my fate into the hands of a woman! On the day of the publication she remained calmly in bed and slept till broad daylight.
Convinced that everything was well, I went to town, but everywhere on my way I was greeted with sarcastic smiles.
"Well, where is the wonderful paper to be had?" I was asked the question dozens of times by the numerous people interested in its appearance.
"Everywhere!"
"Or nowhere!"
I went into a newspaper shop.
"We haven't received it yet," said the assistant behind the counter.
I rushed to the printing-office. It had not left the press yet.
A complete failure! We had an angry scene. Her inborn carelessness and ignorance of the publishing trade exonerated her to some extent. She had completely relied on her friend, the theatrical manager.