20
THE AUTHOR OF "TRIXIE"
hidden away in a drawer? He was not. Out the book must come, to court the verdict of the public—the verdict which that Artist rather flattered himself was going to be not wholly unfavourable. Not wholly. No.
He suggested to the Pastor of Souls the adoption of an alias. The Pastor shook his head. He gravely misdoubted the security of an alias. To adopt an alias is to set every busybody to the work of discovering whom it conceals; and sooner or later the truth is ferreted out. And this particular truth must, simply, not be ferreted out.
Anonymity, then? How about anonymity?
No, thought the Pastor; anonymity wouldn't do either. Anonymity was just as dangerous as pseudonymity. Equally calculated to set the busybodies going.
