There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the
three form a rising scale of compliment: (1) - to tell him you have read
one of his books; (2) - to tell him you have read all of his books; (3) - to
ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1
admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3
carries you clear into his heart.
