"Why? Why, because it isn't the Thing!—won't go down, Sir! You carry it out too far, farther than Anybody goes; it's so much Clap-Trap, and spoils what's real."
"But it is not Clap-Trap. It says no more than I mean and feel! No, no; I'll give up verbal Points to your better Taste, but in Matters of Principle, I cannot alter."
"Nay then, the Thing's at an End, for I honestly tell you I won't concern myself with it as it stands. You may surely allow me some little Knowledge of these Things. However, it's no Use talking to an infatuated Man—otherwise, there is another Passage I was going to propose to you to withdraw, which doubtless you will maintain to be the best in the Manuscript."
"Which is that?"
"This, about the Water-Nymphs."
"Well,—I think it pretty, and can't see what there is to object to in it; but, to yield to your better Taste, it shall be withdrawn, if you like."
"My dear Fenwick! you don't say so?"
"I say so, and mean it too."
"Why, this will be a great Sacrifice of yours, especially as it is against your own Judgment,—of one of the most showy Passages, though I won't say one of the best!"
"Never mind! Let it be so."