 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.«
    Reardon's indignation yielded to laughter.
    »It's not impossible that he may thrive by this kind of thing.«
    »Not at all,« assented Jasper.
    Shortly after this, he looked at his watch.
    »I must be off, my friends. I have something to write before I can go to my
truckle-bed, and it'll take me three hours at least. Good-bye, old man. Let me
know when your story's finished, and we'll talk about it. And think about Mrs
Boston Wright; oh, and about that review in The Current. I wish you'd let me do
it. Talk it over with your guide, philosopher, and friend.«
    He indicated Amy, who laughed in a forced way.
    When he was gone, the two sat without speaking for several minutes.
    »Do you care to make friends with those girls?« asked Reardon at length.
    »I suppose in decency I must call upon them?«
    »I suppose so.«
    »You may find them very agreeable.«
    »Oh yes.«
    They conversed with their own thoughts for a while. Then Reardon burst out
laughing.
    »Well, there's the successful man, you see. Some day he'll live in a
mansion, and dictate literary opinions to the universe.«
    »How has he offended you?«
    »Offended me? Not at all. I am glad of his cheerful prospects.«
    »Why should you refuse to go among
