The Empire poised mid-climb to the heights of glory under Queen Victoria but the young writer's interests were far more mundane.

He trudged through the streets of London to yet another appointment, with yet another editor, the latest manuscript revision clutched beneath his overcoat for protection against the weather. A miniature waterfall streamed over the brim of his top hat as he hurried through the downpour - Would that my efforts survive so foul an editor

.

Soon enough, he'd have his answer.

Babcock granted an audience an hour beyond the original appointment. Leather-bound volumes stood in upright, orderly ranks on the surrounding office shelves. The former Colonel sat entrenched behind his fortress of a desk.

He opened the manuscript and frowned. A sigh floated beyond the edge of the first page he read.

"My dear Dickens, it can't possibly be both! Either it's the best of times or the worst."

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 20.09.2009

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