I learned one of the pieces and repeated it to him, and asked if there was any hope of my being able to go on the stage.

He was very kind; he told me the truth.

'My dear, you have no dramatic ability; God forbid you should go on the stage.' I went back again to the penny journals, and tried a new editor.

He seemed to have more money than the other one; or perhaps he was kinder.

I got ten shillings from him for my story.