Now the Major spreads himself and begins to be very wise, while hugh, to whom this is more intolerable than all, can only clutch his hair.

booth. You know I never considered Art a very good profession for you, Hugh. And you won't even stick to one department of it. It's a profession that gets people into very bad habits, I consider. Couldn't you take up something else? You could still do those wood-cuts in your spare time to amuse yourself.

hugh. [commenting on this with two deliberate shouts of simulated mirth.] Ha! Ha!

booth. [sublimely superior.] Well, it wouldn't much matter if you didn't do them at all!

beatrice. [subtly.] Booth, there speaks the true critic.

booth. [deprecating any title to omniscience.] Well, I don't pretend to know much about Art but—

hugh. It would matter to me. There speaks the artist.

beatrice. The arrogance of the artist!

hugh. We have a right to be arrogant.