“If therefore I may assume that my work is not entirely without merit, this naturally would only be proved after publication, and the printers just as naturally ask for payment in advance for printers’ wages, etc. . . .
And they are quite right.
“. . . which at present I cannot conveniently afford. As, however, I am convinced that my work would cover expenses, and would confidently pledge my word on this, I have, encouraged through our meeting the day before yesterday . . .
He calls that “encouraged”!
“. . . decided to ask you whether you would be my guarantor with the publisher for the cost of a first issue, were it only of a small volume. I leave the choice of the first attempt entirely to you. In the packet herewith forwarded you will find many manuscripts, and they will show you that I have thought much, worked much, and experienced much . . .
I have never heard that he was in business.
“. . . and if the gift of right expression is not altogether wanting in me, it will certainly not be owing to lack of impressions that I should fail to succeed.
“In anticipation of a kind reply, I sign myself your old schoolmate . . .”!
And his name was written underneath. But I do not mention it, as I am not fond of getting a man talked about.
Dear reader, you can imagine how I was taken aback, when it was suddenly suggested that I should be raised to the position of verse-broker. I feel sure that if “Shawlman”—I think I shall just give him that name—had seen me in the daytime, he would not have addressed such a request to me. For then gentility and respectability cannot be hidden. But it was in the evening, so I don’t feel concerned about it. It is self-evident that I’ll have noth-
