or by Hector I'll tear your goose-liver from your body,
you pocket-itching Jacob!

Bookseller.
Here! take it!

Poe. There's your Judas' blood! (Throws down money and starts
out with the book. Enter Brackett)

Brackett. (Stopping Poe) Mr. Poe, I believe.

Poe. Right, sir. And Brackett, I think your name was when I
knew you.

Bra. Quite right, Mr. Poe. I saw you coming in here, and though
you have changed somewhat with the help of years I was
sure it was you.

Poe. And how, Mr. Brackett, may that knowledge be of interest
to you?

Bra. Well, perhaps it does concern you more than myself.

Poe. Kindly tell me in what way that I may regret it.

Bra. Your pen has been supplying matter for _The Comet_, I
believe.

Poe. If you have any doubt of it a perusal of that magazine's
issues for the past two years will satisfy you.

Bra. The returns therefrom have contributed somewhat to your
comfort, I suppose.

Poe. Do you?

Bra. Ah, I am mistaken? Then I have less hesitation to tell you
that the articles recently submitted are unavailable.

Poe. _You_ tell me! What have you to do with it? Who are you?

Bra. I am the present editor of _The Comet_.

Poe. You!

Bra. I! You see I am in a position to speak with
authority,--and it is only just to tell you that your
articles will meet with no further recognition in that
quarter.

Poe. Brackett ... I have been very ill. I wrote those things on
what I believed to be my death bed. My wife....

Bra. I should say then that you are in great need of money.

Poe. God help me, I am! You know I am not one to beg!

Bra. But it's beg or starve with you, eh? (Poe looks at him
silently) Well, I should advise you to make application
without loss of time to some one who does not know you
quite so well as the new editor of _The Comet_. Good
morning.

Poe. (Calling to him as he stands in door) I say, Brackett!
(Brackett turns) _I_ should advise _you_ to change the
name of _The Comet_ as well as its editor. Suppose you
call it _The Falling Star_? Ha! ha! (Exit Brackett) Curse
me for a whining dog--but Virginia--

(Goes out)

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