“I think ‘Degeneration’ is the most wonderful book ever written,” Jimmie broke in at this point as if unable to keep silent any longer.  Then he looked deeply embarrassed at Doctor Nordau’s hearty laughter.

“Thank you a thousand times,” he said; “such a decided opinion I seldom hear.  Your great country was the first to appreciate and read it.  I have many friends there whom I never saw but who love me and whom I love.  They often write to me.”

“And beg autographs and photographs of you,” I said.

“Oh, yes, but it is very easy to do what they ask.  But one curious thing strikes me about America.  See, here on my book shelves I have books written explaining the government of all countries in all languages—­all countries, that is to say, except America.  Why has no one ever written such an one about the United States?”

Jimmie pricked up his ears as this phase of the conversation came home to him.  He forgot his awe and said: 

“What’s the matter with Bryce?”

Doctor Nordau looked puzzled.  He is a practising physician.

“‘What’s the matter with Bryce?’” he repeated.

Jimmie blushed.

“Haven’t you read ‘Bryce’s Commonwealth?’” I broke in, to give Jimmie time to get on his legs again.

“Is there a book on American government by an American that I never heard of?” asked Nordau of Jimmie.

“Well, Bryce is an Englishman, but he knows more about America than any American I know,” answered Jimmie.  “I’ll send you the book if you would like to read it.”

Doctor Nordau thanked him and said he would be delighted to have it.  While Jimmie was making a note of this, Doctor Nordau looked quizzically at me and said: 

“Do American publishers rob all foreign authors as I have been robbed, or am I mistaken in thinking that large numbers of ‘Degeneration’ have been sold in America?”

Alas, wherever I go in Europe, I am obliged to hear this denunciation of our publishers!  I cannot get beyond the sound of it.  To hear foreign authors denounce American publishers by every term of opprobrium which could commonly be applied to Barabbas!  I was puzzled to know whether they really are the most unscrupulous robbers in creation or if they only have the name of being.

“You are not mistaken in thinking that large numbers of ‘Degeneration’ have been sold,” I said, “and if your book was properly copyrighted and protected and you did not sign away all your rights to your American publishers for a song, as too many foreign authors do in their scorn of American appreciation of good literature, you should not be obliged to complain, for I distinctly remember that ‘Degeneration’ often led in the lists of best selling books which our booksellers report at the end of each week.”

“Then I will leave you to judge for yourself,” said Doctor Nordau.  “The entire amount I have received from my American publishers for ‘Degeneration’ is fifty pounds!  That is every sou!”