They were never met with anything but the greatest kindness and courtesy, even when they intruded, as they must sometimes have done, on mail-days, and other busy hours. The manager used to take the little paper and look it through in an interested fashion, asking questions as he turned the leaves. And it was very seldom the advertisement was refused; the biggest office in Sydney had taken one whole page for a year; this example and a kindly feeling for the young editors led nearly every manager to take a certain space and to ask to be put down as a yearly subscriber.
“‘This is our paper: the circulation is a thousand; will you advertise in it?’”
Three Little Maids] [[Page 244]
[245]
]The finances of the paper were for two or three months in a flourishing condition, and after all
expenses were paid there were from six to ten pounds each month to divide between the editors.
What keen pleasure then to buy pretty things for the home and pay Weenie’s and Freddie’s school bills, and clothe themselves, and have spare money for books and music, and little presents for the mother!
But after a very few months their repugnance for the work became too strong for them.
“I can’t do it again,” Phyl said vehemently, when after a long afternoon she and Dolly came home just in time for dinner.
“If we never get another penny, if the paper goes altogether, I won’t ask for another advertisement,” Dolly said, and she flung the little paper with its severe classical title and stilted motto right to the other end of the room.