CHAPTER I.
I had simply, I suppose, a change of heart, and it must have begun when I received my manuscript back from Mr.Pinhorn.

Mr.Pinhorn was my "chief," as he was called in the office: he had the high mission of bringing the paper up.

This was a weekly periodical, which had been supposed to be almost past redemption when he took hold of it.

It was Mr.Deedy who had let the thing down so dreadfully: he was never mentioned in the office now save in connexion with that misdemeanour.
Young as I was I had been in a manner taken over from Mr.Deedy, who had been owner as well as editor; forming part of a promiscuous lot, mainly plant and office-furniture, which poor Mrs.Deedy, in her bereavement and depression, parted with at a rough valuation.

I could account for my continuity but on the supposition that I had been cheap.