It costs too much to live, anyhow, especially when you've got a daughter to support, and no money comin' in, to speak of.

And just when some does come in, along comes a pesky book agent or somethin' and fools the women out of the money.

They ought to be a law agin book agent.

City council ought to put a license on 'em, and keep 'em out of town." "Some towns," he said softly, "do have licenses against book agents.
One of the relics of the dark ages, but abolished wherever the light o' culture is loved and esteemed.

What so helpful as the book?
What so comforting?
What so uplifting?
And who but the book agent carries help and comfort and uplift, and leaves it scattered around, one dollar down and one dollar a month until paid; who but the humble but useful book agent?
To mention but one book, Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art has carried wisdom into a million homes, making each better and brighter.