oks," he
said. "He'd be delighted to hear your views personally, I'm sure, and
I believe you'd convert him. He's a bit old-fashioned, you know, that
is for a sub--believes in the orthodox societies, and makes a great
point of not encouraging idleness."

"I'd be glad to some time," Brooks answered. "But I can tell you this.
If we can get the money, and I haven't asked for a penny yet, nothing in
the shape of popular opinion is going to stop us. Idleness and
drunkenness, deceit and filthy-mindedness, and all those vices which I
admit are like a pestilence amongst these people, are sins which we are
responsible for, not them, and, of course, we must suffer to some
extent from them. But we've got to grapple with them. We shall be
taken advantage of, and grossly deceived continually. I know of one or
two cases already. We expect it--count upon it. But in the end we
shall come out on the top. If we are consistent the thing will right
itself."

"You are a young man to be so interested in philanthropic work, Mr.
Brooks Every one seems to consider philanthropy the pursuit of the old,"
Brooks answered. "I don't know why, I am sure."

"And may I ask if that is a sample of your daily correspondence?" he
asked, pointing to the table.

Brooks looked at the enormous pile of letters and shook his head.

"I have never had more than twenty letters at a time in my life," he
answered. "There seems to be almost as many thousands there. It is, I
suppose, a result of the Press booming our modest little show. I can
scarcely feel as grateful as I should like to. Have another pipe, will
you--or a cigar? I think unless there's anything else you'd like to
ask I'd better begin on these."

"Nothing more, thanks," the pressman answered; "but if I might I'd like
to stay while you open a few. There might be something interesting. If
you'll forgive my remarking it, there seem to be a good many registered
letters. I understood that you had not appealed to the public for
subscriptions."

"Neither have I," Brooks answered, stretching out his hand. "If there
is money in these it is entirely unsolicited."

He plunged into a correspondence as various as it was voluminous. There
were letters of abuse, of sympathy, of friendship, of remonstrance, of
reproof. There were offers of help, money, advice, suggestions, and
advertisements. There were small sums of money, and a few larger ones.
He was amused to find that a great many people addressed him as an