"
Two weeks afterward the postman brought me a large, fat envelope. I
opened it, and took out something that I had seen before, and this
typewritten letter from a magazine that encourages society fiction:
Your short story, "The Badge of Policeman O'Roon," is herewith
returned.
We are sorry that it has been unfavorably passed upon; but it
seems to lack in some of the essential requirements of our
publication.
The story is splendidly constructed; its style is strong and
inimitable, and its action and character-drawing deserve
the highest praise. As a story _per se_ it has merit beyond
anything that we have read for some time. But, as we have said,
it fails to come up to some of the standards we have set.
Could you not re-write the story, and inject into it the social
atmosphere, and return it to us for further consideration? It
is suggested to you that you have the hero, Van Sweller, drop
in for luncheon or dinner once or twice at ---- [10] or at the
---- [11] which will be in line with the changes desired.
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