Volume II.—Wide Awake.
Messrs. Binding and Print had received their visitor with courtesy. They did not require to read Douglas the Doomed One. They had discovered that it was sufficiently long to make the regulation three volumes. That was all that was necessary. They would accept it. They would be happy to publish it.
"And about terms?" murmured Belinda.
"Half profits," returned Mr. Binding, with animation.
"When we have paid for the outlay we shall divide the residue," cried Mr. Print.
"And do you think I shall soon get a cheque?" asked the anxious authoress.
"Well, that is a question not easy to answer. You see, we usually spend any money we make in advertising. It does the work good in the long run, although at first it rather checks the profits."
Belinda was satisfied, and took her departure.
"We must advertise Douglas the Doomed One in the Skatemaker's Quarterly Magazine," said Mr. Binder.
"And in the Crossing Sweeper's Annual," replied Mr. Print. Then the two partners smiled at one another knowingly. They laughed as they remembered that of both the periodicals they had mentioned they were the proprietors.