Finding these objections unavailing, he agreed
to his guardian's proposition.
"All right," said the captain; "then you can go to work next Monday.
But you'll HAVE to work, and be just the same as any other beginner, no
better and no worse. There'll be no favoritism, and, if you're really
wuth your salt, you won't want any. Show 'em, and me, that you're wuth
it."
The novel, the wonderful tale which Captain Elisha was certain would
make its author famous, was finished that very day in June when Stephen
came back from New Haven. The question of title remained, and the
"clinic," now re-enforced by Steve--whose dislike for Pearson
had apparently vanished with others of his former likes and
dislikes--considered that at several sessions. At last "The Man at the
Wheel" was selected, as indicating something of the hero's profession
and implying, perhaps, a hint of his character. Then came the
fateful task of securing a publisher. And the first to whom it was
submitted--one of the two firms which had already expressed a desire to
read the manuscript--accepted it, at what, for a first novel, were
very fair terms. During the summer there was proof to be read and
illustrations to be criticized. Captain Elisha did not wholly approve of
the artist's productions.
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