..I wouldn't leave it lying about; although, of
course, no one could use it without a pass also."
"A what?"
"They use every precaution. I know, because when I nursed old Mrs.
Beresford for eight months, I was sent down to the vault twice."
Alexina's head was whirling. The blood burned and beat in her face.
"Even with her signature I couldn't get by the keeper the first time
because he didn't know me. I had to be identified by her lawyer."
"I like to feel so well taken care of. What shall you do if your novel is a
great success? Of course it will be. You would never go on being a nurse."
"I am not so sure it will be a success. Neither is my publisher. He wrote
me a half-whimsical half-complimentary letter saying that I must remember
the average reader was utterly commonplace, with no education in the higher
sense, no imagination, had an extremely limited vocabulary and thought
and talked in ready-made phrases, composed for the most part of the
colloquialisms of the moment. Style, distinction of mind, erected an almost
visible wall between the ambitious writer and this predominant class. If
they found this sort of book interesting-which as a rule they did not--they
felt a sullen sense of inferiority; and if there were too many unfamiliar
words they pitched it across the room with the ultimate adjective of
their disapproval--'highbrow.' But it is more the general atmosphere they
resent--would resent if the book were purposely written with the most
limited vocabulary possible.
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