"And the house wants to publish the book. They think, down there, that
it will have a very pretty success--not be a big seller, of course, but
something comfortable."

Mrs. Verrian's eyes were suffused with pride and fondness. "And you can
always think, Philip, that this has come to you without the least
lowering of your standard, without forsaking your ideal for a moment."

"That is certainly a satisfaction."

She kept her proud and tender gaze upon him. "No one will ever know as I
do how faithful you have been to your art. Did any of the newspapers
recognize that--or surmise it, or suspect it?"

"No, that isn't the turn they take. They speak of the strong love
interest involved in the problem. And the abundance of incident.
I looked out to keep something happening, you know. I'm sorry I didn't
ask Armiger to let me bring the notices home to you. I'm not sure that I
did wisely not to subscribe to that press-clippings bureau."

His mother smiled. "You mustn't let prosperity corrupt you, Philip.
Wouldn't seeing what the press is saying of it distract you from the real
aim you had in your story?"

"We're all weak, of course. It might, if the story were not finished;
but as it is, I think I could be proof against the stupidest praise."

"Well, for my part, I'm glad you didn't subscribe to the clippings
bureau. It would have been a disturbing element." She now looked down
at the letters as if she were going to take them up, and he followed the