"I want to make a request, Mr. Henderson," she said.
"What is that, Miss Hunt? We have no room for your special line of work just now; every scrap of available space is required for war intelligence. Where this war will end God only knows! The impression amongst most people is that with a small force we shall bring the Boers to their senses; but I, for one, think that the future of the war is larger, and involves more serious issues, than most of my confrères seem to think. What can I do for you?"
"I called to say that I am going to South Africa on Friday," said Katherine Hunt.
"You!"
"Yes. I want you to give me the proud position of your war correspondent at Ladysmith."
"Miss Hunt!"
"I should make a good correspondent, and will send you the news as direct as I can."
The editor hesitated.
"Our circulation is scarcely large enough to warrant our meeting your expenses," he said then. "I could not pay much for the articles."
"It is not a question of money," said Katherine, rising. "Pay me what you think fair; but the remuneration need not stand in the way. If you decline my offer, I shall go to the office of The Sparrow and make the same proposal to its editor. I should like to write for you, or for some paper, because I should go out to South Africa in a more assured position as a war correspondent. That is all."