 able to judge and enjoy impartially.«
    »I know it, but I shall never improve. This book seems to me to have a bad
smell; it looks mauled with dirty fingers. I despise Oldwinkle for his
popularity. To make them laugh, and to laugh with them - pah!«
    They debated this point for some time, Peak growing more violent, though his
friend preserved a smiling equanimity. A tirade of virulent contempt, in which
Godwin exhibited all his powers of savage eloquence, was broken by a visitor's
summons at the door.
    »Here's Malkin,« said the journalist; »you'll see each other at last.«
    Peak could not at once command himself to the look and tone desirable in
meeting a stranger; leaning against the mantelpiece, he gazed with a scowl of
curiosity at the man who presented himself, and when he shook hands, it was in
silence. But Malkin made speech from the others unnecessary for several minutes.
With animated voice and gesture, he poured forth apologies for his failure to
keep the appointment of six or seven weeks ago.
    »Only the gravest call of duty could have kept me away, I do assure you! No
doubt Earwaker has informed you of the circumstances. I telegraphed - I think I
telegraphed; didn't I, Earwaker?«
    »I have some recollection of a word or two of scant excuse,« replied the
journalist.
    »But I implore you to consider the haste I was in,« cried Malkin; »not five
minutes, Mr. Peak, to book, to register luggage, to do everything; not five
minutes, I protest! But here we are at last. Let us talk! Let us talk!«
    He seated himself with an air of supreme enjoyment, and began to cram the
bowl of a large pipe from a bulky pouch.
    »How stands the fight with Kenyon and Co.?« he cried, as soon as the tobacco
was glowing.
    Earwaker briefly repeated what he had told Peak.
    »Hold out! No surrender and no compromise! What's your opinion, Mr. Peak, on
the abstract question? Is a popular paper likely, or not, to be damaged in its
circulation by improvement of style and tone - within the limits of discretion?«
    »I shouldn't be surprised if it were,« Peak answered, drily.
    »I'm afraid you're right. There's no use in blinking truths, however
disagreeable. But, for Earwaker, that isn't the main issue.
