"No, you silly thing. References, indeed! Why, Nell, you won't go to this party on references. You'll go on my reputation!"
"Mary Wayne, I'm in awe of you."
Mary laughed.
"You wouldn't be if you knew how much I feel like a charlatan. It's all on the outside, Nell. I am just hollow emptiness; the shell is the only thing that holds me together."
Nell made a gesture of reluctant assent.
"I'll go if you'll let me meet the Italian sculptor," she said. "I adore sculptors."
"You can meet the sculptor and the bishop both," promised Mary. "And if you're very good I'll let you meet the valet."
"But not, of course, Mr. Marshall."
"Pooh! That's nothing exciting. Anybody can meet him, my dear."