Part 15 (1/2)

Ten lines of it make my blood tingle--an act of it makes me bury my face in my pillow and laugh and sob for five minutes.

Go forth, oh my perfect song!

PART II. SEEKING A PUBLISHER

July 8th.

To-day I took it to the publisher's!

I had been pondering for a week who were the best publishers. To-day I hardly had the courage to go in--I know nothing about such things--and my hands shook so I could hardly hold the package.

I asked to see the manager. I told him I had a ma.n.u.script to submit. He looked at me--I guess I must look rather seedy. ”What sort of a ma.n.u.script?” he asked. ”A blank verse drama!”

Then he took it and glanced over it. ”Blank verse dramas are difficult things to publish,” he said.

”You had best read it, I think,” I answered, ”you will find it worth while.”

”Very well, if you wish,” said he, ”we always read everything that is offered to us.”

”How soon shall you be able to let me know?”

”Oh, in a week or ten days.”

And then I went out--shuddering with excitement. A week or ten days!

Well--I can wait. I have done all _my_ duty, at any rate.

July 9th.

I have certainly played a bold game with my poem! At the publisher's at last--and I, having paid my room-rent, have just a dollar in my pocket!

I have been tramping about all day to-day, looking for some work. I don't care what it is--I can do anything to keep alive for a week or ten days.--I wonder if they will advance me some money at once.