"And when should I have to produce this £30?" Guy asked.
"Well, I might ask for a cheque to be placed to my account on the day of publication; and then of course I should send in a written statement twice a year with the usual three months' margin for settlement."
"So that supposing my book came out in March?" Guy enquired.
"By the following November I should hope to have the pleasure of sending you back your £30 and a cheque on account of royalties," said the publisher briskly.
"They don't seem very good terms somehow," said Guy.
Mr. Worrall shrugged his shoulders, and his conical head grew more conical.
"You forget the advantage of being in the Covent Garden series of modern poets. However, don't, pray do not, entrust your manuscript to my pilotage unless you are perfectly satisfied. I have a good many poems to consider, you know."
"May I write within a week or so and give you my decision?" Guy asked.
"Naturally."
"Well, good-bye."