month on one story for Mr Hammond, and he said it
was `crude.' I wrote another in one afternoon, and he said it was
`charming, but not suitable for his magazine.' I have sent it to three
other editors since then, and the unanimity of opinion is most
impressive. I gathered together all my rejected addresses and offered
them to a publisher. He said that volumes of short stories had been
overdone, and that--except in a few exceptional cases--they were not
publishing any more. I was determined to earn money _somehow_, so I
turned to children's stories and paragraphs for penny papers. I get a
sovereign each for the stories, and five shillings a page for the
paragraphs. I wrote an article on `Advice to Young Authors,' and it was
accepted on its first journey. I also perpetrated a penny novelette,
with detailed descriptions of the heroine's frocks, and an earl for
hero. The editor accepted it, and corrected my English according to his
lights. I _cringed_ over the printed copy, and blushed to my ears.
Altogether I have amassed seventeen pounds--minus, of course, my
expenses and the fortune expended on stamps!"

"I wish I had done as well," said Hope sadly. She was as pretty as
ever, but her face was thinner and the mischievous dimples came more
rarely into sight. "I had eight `social engagements' during the
Christmas holidays, for four of which I have to thank my friend the
conjurer. Then my market was practically closed for another year.
Minnie Caldecott sang my song at Aunt Loftus's reception, and again at
the Welsby's, and the publisher printed it `as sung by Miss Minnie
Caldecott,' just as I wished. They would not pay anything down, but
promised a royalty if the sales exceeded five hundred. Last time I
inquired they had sold forty-eight copies. Oh dear! I got some
transposing and copying to do, which paid rather better than making
matches. I swallowed mountains of pride and prejudice and advertised
myself as an instructor of youth--the one thing I had always vowed I
would not do--and I have one pupil with warts on her fingers, who snores
all the while she is torturing the `Village Blacksmith.' I--I always
thought I was amiable before, but I have felt--I've felt _murderous_ to
that child! I have earned nineteen pounds, Philippa, spent five on my
dress, three on my cloak, over two on cabs and gloves; grand total for a
year's effort--ten pounds sterling!"

"I've not made a cent, but I've done my best, and