re not nuns, they are not even Roman Catholics, but they are just as
strict and strait-laced about certain things as if their house were
really a convent. So far as I can see, there is but one thing to do, and
that is to confine yourself to descriptions of travel; and perhaps it
would be well to let your secretary know in some way that you intend to
do so; otherwise I think she may throw up the business, and that would
be a pity."

It sometimes surprises me to discover what an obstinate person I am.
When I want to do a thing, it is very difficult for me to change my
mind.

"She must not throw up the business," I said, "and I do not see how I
can leave out the story. I have planned it far ahead, and to discard it
I should have to go back and cut and mangle a great deal of good work
that I have done."

Walkirk reflected.

"I admit," he replied, "that that would be very discouraging. Perhaps we
can think of some plan of getting out of the difficulty."

"I hope you can do that," said I, "for I cannot."

"How would this do?" he asked presently. "Suppose I go and see Mother
Anastasia this afternoon, and try and make her look at this matter from
a strictly business point of view. I can tell her that the sort of thing
you are doing is purely literature, that you can't keep such things out
of literature, and that the people who engage in the mechanical work of
literature cannot help running against those things at one time or
another. I can try to make her understand what an advantageous
connection this is, and what a great injury to the House of Martha it
would be if it should be broken off. I can tell her that it is not
improbable that you may take to writing as a regular business, and that
you may give profitable employment to the sisters for years and years.
There are a good many other things I might say, and you may be sure I
shall do my very best."

"Go," I said, "but be very careful about what you say. Don't make her
think that I am too anxious to retain this particular sister, but make
her understand that I do not wish to begin all over again with another
one. Also, do not insist too strongly on my desire to write a
love-story, but put it to her that when I plan out work of course I want
to do the work as I have planned it. Try to keep these important points
in your mind; then you can urge common sense upon her as much as you
please."

I sent a note to my grandmother saying that I should not be home to
luncheo