laugh.

'Yes, he does. Was going to, it seems, in any case. Of course I heard
nothing about the two reviews, and I was almost afraid to smile whilst
Fadge was talking with me, lest I should betray my thought. Did you know
anything about the fellow before?'

'Not I. Didn't know who edited The Study.'

'Nor I either. Remarkable what a number of illustrious obscure are going
about. But I have still something else to tell you. I'm going to set my
sisters afloat in literature.'

'How!'

'Well, I don't see why they shouldn't try their hands at a little
writing, instead of giving lessons, which doesn't suit them a bit. Last
night, when I got back from Wimbledon, I went to look up Davies. Perhaps
you don't remember my mentioning him; a fellow who was at Jolly and
Monk's, the publishers, up to a year ago. He edits a trade journal now,
and I see very little of him. However, I found him at home, and had
a long practical talk with him. I wanted to find out the state of the
market as to such wares as Jolly and Monk dispose of. He gave me some
very useful hints, and the result was that I went off this morning and
saw Monk himself--no Jolly exists at present. "Mr Monk," I began, in my
blandest tone--you know it--"I am requested to call upon you by a lady
who thinks of preparing a little volume to be called 'A Child's History
of the English Parliament.' Her idea is, that"--and so on. Well, I
got on admirably with Monk, especially when he learnt that I was to be
connected with Culpepper's new venture; he smiled upon the project, and
said he should be very glad to see a specimen chapter; if that pleased
him, we could then discuss terms.'

'But has one of your sisters really begun such a book?' inquired Amy.

'Neither of them knows anything of the matter, but they are certainly
capable of doing the kind of thing I have in mind, which will consist
largely of anecdotes of prominent statesmen. I myself shall write the
specimen chapter, and send it to the girls to show them what I propose.
I shouldn't wonder if they make some fifty pounds out of it. The few
books that will be necessary they can either get at a Wattleborough
library, or I can send them.'

'Your energy is remarkable, all of a sudden,' said Reardon.

'Yes. The hour has come, I find. "There is a tide"--to quote something
that has the charm of freshness.'

The supper--which consisted of bread and butter, cheese, sardines,
cocoa--was now over, and Jasper, still enlargi