by sheer hard work.
Why, in those days I was never able to do more than six-fifty words an
hour, and what's more, I often didn't sell what I wrote." He sighed.
"We artists," he said parenthetically, "we intellectuals aren't much
appreciated here in England." Denis wondered if there was any method,
consistent, of course, with politeness, by which he could dissociate
himself from Mr. Barbecue-Smith's "we." There was none; and besides,
it was too late now, for Mr. Barbecue-Smith was once more pursuing the
tenor of his discourse.

"At thirty-eight I was a poor, struggling, tired, overworked, unknown
journalist. Now, at fifty..." He paused modestly and made a little
gesture, moving his fat hands outwards, away from one another, and
expanding his fingers as though in demonstration. He was exhibiting
himself. Denis thought of that advertisement of Nestle's milk--the two
cats on the wall, under the moon, one black and thin, the other white,
sleek, and fat. Before Inspiration and after.

"Inspiration has made the difference," said Mr. Barbecue-Smith solemnly.
"It came quite suddenly--like a gentle dew from heaven." He lifted his
hand and let it fall back on to his knee to indicate the descent of the
dew. "It was one evening. I was writing my first little book about the
Conduct of Life--'Humble Heroisms'. You may have read it; it has been
a comfort--at least I hope and think so--a comfort to many thousands.
I was in the middle of the second chapter, and I was stuck. Fatigue,
overwork--I had only written a hundred words in the last hour, and I
could get no further. I sat biting the end of my pen and looking at the
electric light, which hung above my table, a little above and in front
of me." He indicated the position of the lamp with elaborate care. "Have
you ever looked at a bright light intently for a long time?" he asked,
turning to Denis. Denis didn't think he had. "You can hypnotise yourself
that way," Mr. Barbecue-Smith went on.

The gong sounded in a terrific crescendo from the hall. Still no sign of
the others. Denis was horribly hungry.

"That's what happened to me," said Mr. Barbecue-Smith. "I was
hypnotised. I lost consciousness like that." He snapped his fingers.
"When I came to, I found that it was past midnight, and I had written
four thousand words. Four thousand," he repeated, opening his mouth very
wide on the "ou" of thousand. "Inspiration had come to me."

"What a very extraordinary thing," said Denis.

"