“That but feebly expresses it.”
“So that he can't give himself up to his beautiful imagination?”
“He's badgered, bothered, overwhelmed, on the pretext of being applauded. People expect him to give them his time, his golden time, who wouldn't themselves give five shillings for one of his books.”
“Five? I'd give five thousand!”
“Give your sympathy—give your forbearance. Two-thirds of those who approach him only do it to advertise themselves.”
“Why, it's too bad!” the girl exclaimed, with the face of an angel.
I followed up my advantage. “There's a lady with him now who's a terrible complication, and who yet hasn't read, I am sure, ten pages that he ever wrote.”
My visitor's wide eyes grew tenderer. “Then how does she talk——?”
“Without ceasing. I only mention her as a single case. Do you want to know how to show a superlative consideration? Simply avoid him.”
“Avoid him?” she softly wailed.