Page:Stevenson - The Art of Writing (1905).djvu/166

152 the revolution of one hundred years complete, or until the 20th day of September 1889: the same compiled and written by me, , For near forty years Land Steward on the estates of His Lordship.

As Mr. Thomson is a married man, I will not say what hour had struck when we laid down the last of the following pages; but I will give a few words of what ensued.

'Here,' said Mr. Thomson, 'is a novel ready to your hand: all you have to do is to work up the scenery, develop the characters, and improve the style.'

'My dear fellow,' said I, 'they are just the three things that I would rather die than set my hand to. It shall be published as it stands.'

'But it's so bald,' objected Mr. Thomson.

'I believe there is nothing so noble as baldness,' replied I, 'and I am sure there