"Nonsense," said I. "And if it is really so, I am not the proper person to be rejected. It will hurt some of these Russian subscribers more than it will me, because it is only a question of when I shall read it, not of whether I shall read it at all. I wonder that so many demoralizing things do not affect the officials. However, that is not the point; pray keep for your own use anything which you regard as deleterious to me. I am obliged to you for your consideration. But you have no right to spoil three or four articles; and by a proper use of scissors and caviare that can easily be avoided. In any case, it will be much better to give me the book unmutilated."
The official and the occupants of the reception-room seemed to find my view very humorous; but he declared that he had no power in the matter.
"Very well," said I, taking a seat. "I will see the censor.
"I am the censor," he replied.
"Oh, no. I happen to be aware that the head censor is expected in a few minutes, and I will wait."
My (apparently) intimate knowledge of the ways of censors again won the day. The chief actually was expected, and I was granted the first audience. I explained matters and repeated my arguments. He sent for the assistant.
"Why was not this application granted?" he asked impressively.
"We don't know, your Excellency," was the meek and not very consistent reply.
"You may go," said his Excellency. Then he turned graciously to me. "You will receive it."
"Uncut?"