Yes, the book was a success; but every success in life brings a would-be friend, and a dozen enemies.

True friendship is not influenced by success or failure.


CHAPTER XXVII
BURIED IN PARCELS

“THEY can’t come in here—I tell you they simply can’t.”

I was sitting eating my matutinal egg on a sleety January day in 1909, when I heard this altercation at the door.

“They can’t come in here,” repeated the cook, “they simply can’t.”

Thinking I had better go and see what it was all about, I ventured forth. On the doorstep stood two laughing postmen.

“What is it?” I asked.