"I mean—is there anything machine-made about my work? Does it lack—does it lack anything?"
"No!" she said, indignantly loyal. "Why do you ask me that?"
"People—some people say it does lack—a certain quality."
She said with supreme contempt: "You must not believe them. I also hear things—and I know it is an unworthy jealousy that—"
"What have you heard?" he interrupted.
"Absurdities. I don't wish even to think of them—"
"I wish you to. Please. Such things are sometimes significant."
"But—is there any significance in what a few envious artists say—or a few silly models—"
"More significance in what they say than in a whole chorus of professional critics."
"Are you serious?" she asked, astonished.