"What do you think yourself?" asked Mallard.
"It seems to me skilful and accurate, but I know that perhaps it is neither one nor the other."
He pointed out several faults, which she at once recognized.
"I wonder I could not see them at first That confirms me in distrust of myself. I am as likely as not to admire a thing that is utterly worthless."
"As likely as not—no; at least, I think not. But of course your eye is untrained, and you have no real knowledge to go upon. You can judge an original picture sentimentally, and your sentiment will not be wholly misleading. You can't judge a copy technically, but I think you have more than average observation. How would you like to spend your life like this copyist?"
"I would give my left hand to have her skill in my right."
"You would?"
"I should be able to do something—something definite and tolerably good."
"Why, so you can already; one thing in particular."
"What is that?"