"I can see the two priests, I can hear them. If an exception be made in favour of the Virgin, would the sculptor be justified in employing a model to do a statue of a saint?"
"No one supposes that Rubens did not employ a model for his descent from the Cross," said Rodney.
"A man is different, that's what the priests would say."
"Yet, that slender body, slipping like a cut flower into women's hands, has inspired more love in woman than the Virgin has in men."
"I can see these two obtuse priests. I can hear them. I should like to write the scene," said Harding.
The footman brought in the tea, and Harding told him that if Mr. Carmady called he was to show him in, and it was not long after that a knock came at the front door.
"You have come in time for a cup of tea, Carmady. You know Rodney?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Carmady used to come to my studio. Many's the time we've had about the possibility of a neo-pagan Celtic renaissance. But I did not know you were in London. When did you arrive?"
"Yesterday. I'm going to South Africa. There's fighting going on there, and it is a brand new country."