We 've more of this sort of thing on hand than we know what to do with at present , but I 'll run my eye over it , and give you an answer next week . '' Now , Jo did not like to leave it , for Mr. Dashwood did n't suit her at all , but , under the circumstances , there was nothing for her to do but bow and walk away , looking particularly tall and dignified , as she was apt to do when nettled or abashed . Just then she was both , for it was perfectly evident from the knowing glances exchanged among the gentlemen that her little fiction of ` my friend ' was considered a good joke , and a laugh , produced by some inaudible remark of the editor , as he closed the door , completed her discomfiture . Half resolving never to return , she went home , and worked off her irritation by stitching pinafores vigorously , and in an hour or two was cool enough to laugh over the scene and long for next week . When she went again , Mr. Dashwood was alone , whereat she rejoiced . Mr. Dashwood was much wider awake than before , which was agreeable , and Mr. Dashwood was not too deeply absorbed in a cigar to remember his manners , so the second interview was much more comfortable than the first . `` We 'll take this -LRB- editors never say I -RRB- , if you do n't object to a few alterations . It 's too long , but omitting the passages I 've marked will make it just the right length , '' he said , in a businesslike tone . Jo hardly knew her own MS. again , so crumpled and underscored were its pages and paragraphs , but feeling as a tender parent might on being asked to cut off her baby 's legs in order that it might fit into a new cradle , she looked at the marked passages and was surprised to find that all the moral reflections -- which she had carefully put in as ballast for much romance -- had been stricken out . `` But , Sir , I thought every story should have some sort of a moral , so I took care to have a few of my sinners repent . '' Mr. Dashwoods 's editorial gravity relaxed into a smile , for Jo had forgotten her ` friend ' , and spoken as only an author could . `` People want to be amused , not preached at , you know . Morals do n't sell nowadays . '' Which was not quite a correct statement , by the way . `` You think it would do with these alterations , then ? '' `` Yes , it 's a new plot , and pretty well worked up -- language good , and so on , '' was Mr. Dashwood 's affable reply . `` What do you -- that is , what compensation -- '' began Jo , not exactly knowing how to express herself . `` Oh , yes , well , we give from twenty-five to thirty for things of this sort . Pay when it comes out , '' returned Mr. Dashwood , as if that point had escaped him . Such trifles do escape the editorial mind , it is said .
`` Very well , you can have it , '' said XXXXX , handing back the story with a satisfied air , for after the dollar-a-column work , even twenty-five seemed good pay .
Dashwood Dashwoods Jo MS. discomfiture escape first second trifles whereat