Psellos said he twice sent a candidate for notarios to Nikolaos Skleros, but he was rejected and another chosen. He spoke of Nikolaos' debt to himself and the qualities of his man. He agreed that times were hard, but then why appoint a notarios at all? He wondered if Nikolaos had rejected their friendship, while affirming his own commitment to it, though in mourning when forced to defend his case. Nikolaos must mention Psellos to his unsuccessful candidate to keep hopes of friendship alive