"I am. Do you wish to subscribe?"
"I have already written something for your paper," Harry continued.
"Indeed!" said the editor. "Was it poetry or prose?"
Harry felt flattered by the question. To be mistaken for a poet he felt to be very complimentary. If he had known how much trash weekly found its way to the "Standard" office, under the guise of poetry, he would have felt less flattered.
"I have written some essays over the name of 'Franklin,'" he hastened to say.
"Ah, yes, I remember, and very sensible essays too. You are young to write."
"Yes, sir; I hope to improve as I grow older."
By this time Oscar felt impelled to speak for his friend. It seemed to him that Harry was too modest.
"My friend is assistant editor of a New Hampshire paper,—'The
Centreville Gazette,'" he announced.
"Indeed!" said the editor, looking surprised. "He is certainly young for an editor."