"but suggest something."

"Well, Sir," said No. 3 more humbly than ever, for he was terribly afraid
of his employer; "I think, perhaps, that somebody had better go to
Australia, and see what can be done."

"I know one thing that can be done," said Mr. Meeson, with a snarl: "all
those fools out there can be sacked, and sacked they shall be; and,
what's more, I'll go and sack them myself. That will do No. 3; that will
do;" and No. 3 departed, and glad enough he was to go.

As he went a clerk arrived, and gave a card to the great man.

"Miss Augusta Smithers," he read; then with a grunt, "show Miss Augusta
Smithers in."

Presently Miss Augusta Smithers arrived. She was a tall, well-formed
young lady of about twenty-five, with pretty golden hair, deep grey
eyes, a fine forehead, and a delicate mouth; just now, however, she
looked very nervous.

"Well, Miss Smithers, what is it?" asked the publisher.

"I came, Mr. Meeson--I came about my book."

"Your book, Miss Smithers?" this was an affectation of forgetfulness;
"let me see?--forgive me, but we publish so many books. Oh, yes, I
remember; 'Jemima's Vow.' Oh, well, I believe it is going on fairly."

"I saw you advertised the sixteenth thousand the other day," put in Miss