Why, look you; a man who has
to live by miscellaneous writing couldn't get on without a vast
variety of acquaintances. One's own brain would soon run dry; a
clever fellow knows how to use the brains of other people.'
Amy listened with an unconscious smile which expressed keen
interest.
'Oh,' pursued Jasper, 'when did you see Whelpdale last?'
'Haven't seen him for a long time.'
'You don't know what he's doing? The fellow has set up as a
"literary adviser." He has an advertisement in The Study every
week. "To Young Authors and Literary Aspirants"--something of the
kind. "Advice given on choice of subjects, MSS. read, corrected,
and recommended to publishers. Moderate terms." A fact! And
what's more, he made six guineas in the first fortnight; so he
says, at all events. Now that's one of the finest jokes I ever
heard. A man who can't get anyone to publish his own books makes
a living by telling other people how to write!'
'But it's a confounded swindle!'
'Oh, I don't know. He's capable of correcting the grammar of
"literary aspirants," and as for recommending to publishers--
well, anyone can recommend, I suppose.
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