"Nor I," Mr. Waddington continued. "I have been lying awake at nights
lately, thinking of Versailles. Why do we waste our time here at all, I
wonder, in this ugly little corner of the universe?"
Burton smiled.
"There is something of the hedonist about you, Mr. Waddington," he
remarked. "To me these multitudes of people are wonderful. I seem
driven always to seek for light in the crowded places."
Mr. Waddington called a taxicab.
"Can I give you a lift?" he asked. "I have no sale until the afternoon.
I shall go to one of the galleries. I want to escape from the memory of
the last half-hour!"
CHAPTER XX
ANOTHER COMPLICATION
There came a time when Burton finished his novel. He wrapped it up very
carefully in brown paper and set out to call upon his friend the
sub-editor. He gained his sanctum without any particular trouble and
was warmly greeted.
"Why haven't you brought us anything lately?" the sub-editor asked.
Burton tapped the parcel which he was carrying.
"I have written a novel," he said.
The sub-editor was not in the least impressed--in fact he shook his
head.
"There are too many novels," he declared.
"I am afraid," Burton replied, "that there will have to be one more, or
else I must starve.
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