“You’re growing distrustful,” said Stewart sadly.
“I don’t buy pigs in pokes, even when they’re yours,” said Sam. “Come along in a couple of days.”
He read the novel, and was ready for Stewart when he came.
“I have taken the liberty,” he said, “of marking some passages in this manuscript which you may care to alter.”
“Oh? I know it’s mawkish, but I don’t believe there is a limit to what they’ll stand—and like.”
“I refer particularly to the character you have called Hetaera.”
“But only once. After that she’s called Hetty.”
“Hetty,” said Sam severely, “will have to be cut out. She is an impure woman.”
“Even the most popular of novels should bear some relationship to life.”
“If you wish me to publish this one, Hetty must go. Branstones have a reputation to sustain.”