Page:Chicago manual of style 1911.djvu/133

118 not it is correct, you are the judge. Such an excuse as, "I thought the copy was edited"; or, "I thought the author knew what he wanted," is no excuse at all.

Do not ask authors or editors to decide questions of style. The Manual of Style is primarily meant for you. Learn its rules so that you may correct any violation of them you may come upon, without asking questions.

Do not fall into the fallacy that the author's or editor's O.K. relieves you of all or any part of your responsibility. Authors and editors depend on the proofreader to see to it that the typographical requirements have been met, and that the adopted style has been adhered to, and affix their signatures only on that supposition.

Do not shield yourself behind your copyholder. The copyholder is there to assist you, not to tell you how to do things. If you think you have cause to doubt her version of a matter, investigate for yourself.

Do not suggest to the copyholder the reading of a word or phrase which she has difficulty in making out from the manuscript. If she cannot decipher the manuscript, remember that you are the arbiter, and not the compositor.

Do not permit yourself to be stampeded. Cultivate speed, but remember that accuracy is even more important. If the necessary time is not given you, take it—within reasonable limits—in order to do things right. The credit accruing to you from doing things absolutely right is likely to outlast the displeasure at your lack of dispatch.

In unavoidable cases of "rush," where conditions and