"I am afraid I have been, a little too bitter about Sir Robert. Let me read to you one or two passages that I think would bear softening."
Curl's face lighted up; a gleam of satisfaction kindled his keen eyes. "No, no!" cried he, "never soften down any thing; least of all, what you say of a political opponent. As to reading your pamphlet, I never let my authors read to me. What they say is no business of mine; I only sell books: I neither have them read to me, nor do I read them. But give me your papers; the press is waiting."
"Really, Mr. Curl," said Maynard, hesitating, "there is so much that I wish to add"
"Very foolish," replied the publisher, "to add any thing; keep it for the next time. Why should you do more for me than I ask? so give me the papers."
"They are not quite ready," answered Maynard.
"Not ready!" cried Curl.
"But you shall have them by six o'clock
