Verty looked surprised, spite of his own suggestion.
"I thought you wrote as plain as print, Mr. Roundjacket."
"I do."
"Why then—?"
"Not do so in the present instance, do you mean?"
"Yes, sir."
"Young man," said Roundjacket, solemnly, "it is easy to see that you are shockingly ignorant of the proprieties of life—or you never would have suggested such a thing."
"What thing, sir?"
"Plain writing in an author."
"Oh!" said Verty.