ide.'

'Why not try The Current? Ask Milvain to introduce you to Mr Fadge. They
pay much better, you know.'

'But this isn't so well suited for Fadge. And I much prefer to be
independent, as long as it's possible.'

'That's one of your faults, Edwin,' remarked his wife, mildly. 'It's
only the strongest men that can make their way independently. You ought
to use every means that offers.'

'Seeing that I am so weak?'

'I didn't think it would offend you. I only meant---'

'No, no; you are quite right. Certainly, I am one of the men who need
all the help they can get. But I assure you, this thing won't do for The
Current.'

'What a pity you will go hack to those musty old times! Now think of
that article of Milvain's. If only you could do something of that kind!
What do people care about Diogenes and his tub and his lantern?'

'My dear girl, Diogenes Laertius had neither tub nor lantern, that I
know of. You are making a mistake; but it doesn't matter.'

'No, I don't think it does.' The caustic note was not very pleasant on
Amy's lips. 'Whoever he was, the mass of readers will be frightened by
his name.'

'Well, we have to recognise that the mass of readers will never care for
anything I do.'

'You will never convince me that you couldn't write in a popular way if
you tried. I'm sure you are quite as clever as Milvain--'

Reardon made an impatient gesture.

'Do leave Milvain aside for a little! He and I are as unlike as two
men could be. What's the use of constantly comparing us?'

Amy looked at him. He had never spoken to her so brusquely.

'How can you say that I am constantly comparing you?'

'If not in spoken words, then in your thoughts.'

'That's not a very nice thing to say, Edwin.'

'You make it so unmistakable, Amy. What I mean is, that you are always
regretting the difference between him and me. You lament that I can't
write in that attractive way. Well, I lament it myself--for your sake. I
wish I had Milvain's peculiar talent, so that I could get reputation and
money. But I haven't, and there's an end of it. It irritates a man to be
perpetually told of his disadvantages.'

'I will never mention Milvain's name again,' said Amy coldly.

'Now that's ridiculous, and you know it.'

'I feel the same about your irritation. I can't see that I have given
any cause for it.'

'Then we'll talk no more of the matter.'

Reardon threw his manuscript aside and opened a book. Amy never asked
him to r