(10)
Poet refuses to discuss the matter.
Briggs.
(11)
Fire that poet. You’ve spoiled my cruise with your telegrams.
Wayne.
(12)
(Marked “Collect.”)
Look here, George Wayne, don’t drive me to desperation. You ought to come up and face the situation yourself. I can’t fire a poet with eight helpless children, can I? And while I’m about it, let me inform you that every time you telegraph me it costs me five dollars for a carrier to bring the despatch over from the station; and every time I telegraph you I am obliged to walk five miles to send it and five miles back again. I’m mad all through, and my shoes are worn out, and I’m tired. Besides, I’m too busy to telegraph.
Briggs.