Page:Ethel Churchill 2.pdf/16

14 much: all young people are so fond of reasons, as if reasons were of any use." "Why," cried his companion, "mine is a dispassionate appeal to the reason of the public: my object is to convince." "As if you ever convinced people by reason!" "But I feel it is a duty I owe to the public," said the author. "Good Lord! oh, Lord! Why, my dear sir, what duty do you owe to the public? The only duty you owe is to me, your publisher! It is your duty to write what will sell, and I tell you reasons are unmarketable commodities." "What would you have me do?" sighed Maynard, in a desponding tone. "Why, pepper and salt your reasons!" cried Curl, forgetting to look at the door for a moment: "your pamphlet has talent; but talent is like a cucumber, nothing without the dressing. You must be more personal." "I detest personalities," said Walter.