‘You don’t know what he’s doing? The fellow has set up as a “literary adviser.” He has an advertisement in The Study every week. “To Young Authors and Literary Aspirants”—something of the kind. “Advice given on choice of subjects, MSS. read, corrected, and recommended to publishers. Moderate terms.” A fact! And what’s more, he made six guineas in the first fortnight; so he says, at all events. Now that’s one of the finest jokes I ever heard. A man who can’t get anyone to publish his own books makes a living by telling other people how to write!’
‘But it’s a confounded swindle!’
‘Oh, I don’t know. He’s capable of correcting the grammar of “literary aspirants,” and as for recommending to publishers—well, anyone can recommend, I suppose.’
Reardon’s indignation yielded to laughter.
‘It’s not impossible that he may thrive by this kind of thing.’
‘Not at all,’ assented Jasper.
Shortly after this he looked at his watch.
‘I must be off, my friends. I have something to write before I can go to my truckle-bed, and it’ll take me three hours at least.
‘Good-bye, old man. Let me know when your story’s finished, and we’ll talk about it. And think about Mrs Boston Wright; oh, and about that review in The Current. I wish you’d let me do it. Talk it over with your guide, philosopher, and friend.’
He indicated Amy, who laughed in a forced way.