really came to ask you if you had any room for an article.

_Ed._ (_roused_). My dear fellow, I assure you we are quite full for
months. Any number of excellent things standing over.

_Ob. Vis._ Oh, yes, I know you are always full. You told me so the
last time I called.

_Ed._ Quite so! Very sorry, but it can't be helped. Have to look so
far ahead nowadays, you know.

_Ob. Vis._ Certainly; and that is why I thought I would just bring a
half-finished article and show you what I had dome, and complete it
if you thought it would do. You can put it in whenever you like; so it
would not hurt for standing over.

_Ed._ (_with inspiration_). What is it called?

_Ob. Vis._ "Russian Wheat and Chinese Tea or Free Trade in Australia."
The subject is quite novel, and ought to attract considerable
attention.

_Ed._ Novel! Why, my dear fellow, I do believe I have an article
somewhere in that heap upon the very subject.

[_Pretends to search pile of MS._

_Ob. Vis._ (_uneasily_). Oh, never mind. I will read you what I have
written, and--