"If the article meets with our approbation, we shall be very happy to afford you a medium of publication in our journal. Can we depend on your punctuality?"
"I think so. What are your terms?"
"Terms, madam? I supposed that your contribution was gratuitous," said he very loftily.
"Then you are most egregiously mistaken! What do you imagine induces me to write?"
"Why, desire for fame, I suppose."
"Fame is rather unsatisfactory fare. I am poor, sir, and write to aid me in maintaining myself."
"Are you dependent solely on your own exertions, madam?"
"Yes."
"I am sorry I cannot aid you; but nowadays there are plenty of authors who write merely as a pastime, and we have as many contributions as we can well look over."
"I am to understand, then, that the magazine is supported altogether by gratuitous contributions?" said Beulah, unable to repress a smile.