Miss Potter Page #2

This will be your test.

Over there.

Once upon a time, those two excellent

housekeepers, Lucinda and Jane,

bought some shiny new porcelain

food which they set out

on their perfectly appointed

dining room table.

Then, they decided to go for a walk.

Suddenly, there came a scuffling

noise from the kitchen.

Tom Thumb and Hunker Munker crept out.

The two mice saw that

the dining table was set for dinner.

Tom Thumb leapt up and

took a big bite

from the first plate

and broke his tooth.

Who we expecting someone?

That's my publishers.

It's not a social call.

In fact, I'm rather dreading it.

I wish you wouldn't invite

trades people in to the house.

They carry dust.

Well, next time,

I shall go to their office.

Mr Norman Warne.

Miss Potter.

I hope you will forgive my intrusion

into your daily routine.

I was expecting one of the...

Ah, yes,

I am Harold and Fruing's brother.

I've recently joined the firm

and they have done me

the great honour of assigning

your book to me.

Thank you. It was most gracious

of you to invite me to...

- Tea.

- Yes, I would love some.

Yes, thank you.

Lemon.

Thank you.

Extraordinary!

Funny!

Delightful and magical and

so beautifully drawn.

I am utterly, utterly speechless.

Perhaps we should discuss

our business, Mr Warne.

I put your drawings aside with

the greatest reluctance.

Your brother's letter makes

two proposals

which I find quite unacceptable.

First, they'd like the drawings

to be in colour.

I'm adamant they be

in black and white.

But Peter Rabbit's blue jacket

and the red radishes,

Surely you would like your enchanting

drawings reproduced as they are?

Well, of course I would prefer colour,

but colour will make the book cost

far more than little rabbits

can afford. I'm adamant.

Which brings us to

your brother's second point.

They wish to reduce the number

of drawings by nearly a third.

Totally unacceptable.

Let me explain.

The idea of reducing the number

of drawings was not my brother's

but my own.

If we can reduce the number

to 31 precisely,

then the illustrations for

the entire book could be printed

on a single sheet of paper using

what we call the three-colour process,

that you desire, and at a relatively

low level of cost. Yes?

I've given your book a great deal

of attention, truly.

I would like it to look

colourful on the shelf

so that it stands out

from ordinary books.

You have given it some thought.

Which other books have you

supervised, Mr Warne?

Personally?

- Yes.

- This will be my first.

Miss Potter, I have recently

informed my brothers and my mother

that I am no longer content to

stay at home and play nursemaid

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