She did not immediately look at them, because he went on to
add something that they both felt to be more important. "Armiger says
there has been some increase of the sales, which I can attribute to my
story if I have the cheek."
"That is good."
"And the house wants to publish the book. They think, down there, that
it will have a very pretty success--not be a big seller, of course, but
something comfortable."
Mrs. Verrian's eyes were suffused with pride and fondness. "And you can
always think, Philip, that this has come to you without the least
lowering of your standard, without forsaking your ideal for a moment."
"That is certainly a satisfaction."
She kept her proud and tender gaze upon him. "No one will ever know as I
do how faithful you have been to your art. Did any of the newspapers
recognize that--or surmise it, or suspect it?"
"No, that isn't the turn they take. They speak of the strong love
interest involved in the problem. And the abundance of incident.
I looked out to keep something happening, you know. I'm sorry I didn't
ask Armiger to let me bring the notices home to you. I'm not sure that I
did wisely not to subscribe to that press-clippings bureau."
His mother smiled. "You mustn't let prosperity corrupt you, Philip.
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