The editor was proportionably civil to him, and he was encouraged to commence a third historiette.
'We have polished off poison and petticoats pretty well,' said the editor; 'what do you say to something political ?' Charley had no objection in life.
'This Divorce Bill, now--we could have half a dozen married couples all separating, getting rid of their ribs and buckling again, helter-skelter, every man to somebody else's wife; and the parish parson refusing to do the work; just to show the immorality of the thing.' Charley said he'd think about it.
'Or the Danubian Principalities and the French Alliance--could you manage now to lay your scene in Constantinople ?' Charley doubted whether he could.
'Or perhaps India is the thing?
The Cawnpore massacre would work up into any lengths you pleased.

You could get a file of the _Times_, you know, for your facts.' But while the editor was giving these various valuable hints as to the author's future subjects, the author himself, with base mind, was thinking how much he should be paid for his past labours.

At last he ventured, in the mildest manner, to allude to the subject.
'Payment!' said the editor.
Charley said that he had understood that there was to be some fixed scale of pay; so much per sheet, or something of that sort.
'Undoubtedly there will,' said the editor; 'and those who will have the courage and perseverance to work through with us, till the publication has obtained that wide popularity which it is sure to achieve, will doubtless be paid,--be paid as no writers for any periodical in this metropolis have ever yet been paid.
But at present, Mr.Tudor, you really must be aware that it is quite out of the question.' Charley had not the courage and perseverance to work through with the _Daily Delight_ till it had achieved its promised popularity, and consequently left its ranks like a dastard.

He consulted both Gertrude and Norman on the subject, and on their advice set himself to work on his own bottom.

'You may perhaps manage to fly alone,' said Gertrude; 'but you will find it very difficult to fly if you tie the whole weight of the _Daily Delight_ under your wings.' So Charley prepared himself for solitary soaring.
While he was thus working, the time arrived at which Norman was to leave his office, and it occurred to him that it might be possible that he should bequeath his vacancy to Charley.