MADAME NERISSE. That would be quite easy, and I don't think the Directors would mind. They might say it was a fresh name to make itself known and liked. THERESE. We'll try and manage it. MADAME NERISSE. We shall have to fight against some jealousy. The Directors have protegees. The wife of one of them has been waiting to get an innings for more than two months. There are so many girls and women who write nowadays. THERESE. Yes; but generally speaking their work is not worth much, I think. MADAME NERISSE. Oh, I don't know that. There are a great many who have real talent. People don't realize what a lot of girls there are who have talent. But, still, if I'm not able to take an article every week, you may rely upon me to take one as often as I possibly can. Oh, I shall make myself some enemies for your sake. THERESE [_in consternation_] Enemies? How do you mean enemies? MADAME NERISSE. My dear, it alters everything if you become a professional. Let me see if I can explain. We have our regular contributors. The editor makes them understand that they must expect to run the gantlet of the occasional competition of society women; because, if these women are allowed to write, it interests them and their families in the paper, and it's an excellent advertisement for us. That'll explain to you, by the way, why we sometimes publish articles not quite up to our standard. But if it's a matter of regular, professional work, we have to be more careful. We have to respect established rights and consider people who've been with us a long time. There is only a limited space in each number, and a lot of people have to live out of that. THERESE [_who has gone quite white_] Yes, I see.