"'HORATIO BYSSHE WADDINGTON.'
"You will see, Barbara, that I am saying precisely the same thing, but saying it inoffensively, as a gentleman should."
Forty-eight hours later he dictated:
"'DEAR MRS. LEVITT:
"'No: I have no suggestion to make except that you curtail your very considerable expenditure. For the rest, believe me it is as disagreeable for me to be obliged to refuse your request as I am sure it must be for you to make it—'
"H'm. Rest—request. That won't do. 'As disagreeable for me to have to refuse as it must be for you to ask.'
"Simpler, that. Never use an elaborate phrase where a simple one will do.
"'You are good enough to say I have done so much for you in the past. I have done what I could; but you will pardon me if I say there is a limit beyond which I cannot go.
"'Sincerely yours,