“I should have expected it,” answered Clyde.
Mr. Snodgrass looked at the poet to see whether the words contained any hidden meaning, but he was apparently satisfied that no slight was intended, and began to discuss writers and publishers with Mr. Clyde. The names introduced were unknown to Ben, and he was not, therefore, very much interested.
“I hear that Gloriana Podd is to bring out a new volume of poems soon,” said Snodgrass. “I wonder you don’t do the same.”
“Has she found a publisher to take the risk?”
“No; it is printed at her own expense.”
“So I supposed. Now I object to that. I shall wait till some publisher asks the privilege of bringing me out in book form.”
Presently the poet rose.
“I have a poem to finish ere I sleep,” he said. “Good night to you both.”
“Good night.”
“Is writing poetry Mr. Clyde’s only business?” asked Ben.