Keep those items for an interview characterised more by "blood"
than "brains." Suppose he has received presentation copies of works
of poetical rivals. This will give an opportunity for introducing
contemporary biographical sketches, varying from three lines to half a
column. Know his house, too--once occupied by a foreign fiddler, next
a Cabinet Minister, lastly, a successful artist, hints (if required)
for scenes on the Continent, in Parliament, and the Royal Academy.
Wife and children. Domestic scene--good for two-thirds. Wife playing
piano as the children spin their tops, or gambol with Collie dog.
There now, I think I have got enough material for the present. And
here we are at Bolingbroke Square, South Kensington.
What's this! PODGERS' servant says PODGERS declines to see literary
gents! He won't be interviewed!
Won't he! With my materials, soon arrange about _that_! After all,
seeing him was only an empty form!
Tell Cabman to drive back to my house--Butterfly Gardens. He doesn't
know it! On second thoughts, he says he supposes I mean "the place
that used to be called Grub Street?" Yes, I do!
* * * * *
CHRISTMAS AND CLEOPATRA.
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