Mr. G. There’s something in Welby. I confess his books interest me.
P. Yes, he persists in following the old style and strives to make his books interesting instead of easy, polished, soothing. In short, he wholly ignores good form.
Mr. G. I had hopes for him once.
P. I had none. He insists in crowding his books with incidents. Admires Dumas.
P. Just so, a hopeless case! (Exit G., D. F.)
P. Now, Miss Bodman, let me dictate the letters to Welby and Ralph Hyde-Arlington. I’d send the printed form: “We have carefully read your valuable MS. and beg to say that our reader does not advise us to undertake its publication, etc. Thanks for esteemed favor,” etc.
Miss B. And all that, taffy rejection of a MS. does not imply literary deficiency, etc.
P. I’d give that to all of them straight, but apparently Mr. Greathead has promised these two pretenders that their MSS. shall have special attention. I think Welby’s got it, too. (Laughs.)
Miss B. Mr. Welby would like a line as to the reason his MS. is found unavailable, in case it is returned. Poor man! he seemed to have a presentiment of refusal.
P. Yes, apparently that is the only sane point left in Welby. He has presentiments. He knows he is going to get it in the neck.