"Yes. Then I thought of 'Tracked by Anarchists.' How's that sound to you?"
"'The Meredith Mystery' is the best," replied Perry judicially.
"'Middleton,'" corrected Fudge. "Yep, I guess it'll be that. I told that fellow Potter about it and he said if I'd let him take it he'd see about getting it published in the Reporter. He's a sort of an editor, you know. But I guess the Reporter isn't much of a paper, and a writer who's just starting out has to be careful not to cheapen himself, you see."
"Will he pay you for it?" asked Perry.
"He didn't say. I don't suppose so. Lots of folks don't get paid for their first things, though. Look at—look at Scott; and—and Thackeray, and—lots of 'em! You don't suppose they got paid at first, do you?"
"Didn't they?" asked Perry in some surprise.
"Oh, maybe Thackeray got a few dollars," hedged Fudge, "but what was that? Look what he used to get for his novels afterwards!"
Perry obligingly appeared deeply impressed, although he secretly wondered what Thackeray did get afterwards. However, he forebore to ask, which was just as well, I fancy. Instead, tiring of Fudge's literary affairs, he observed: "Well, I
hope they print it for you, anyway. And maybe
6
