“I think you overstate the importance of what others have done for him; his own people have never been able to help him at all, and now he is doing what he can for them; he is going to educate his brothers.”
“Well, he should be glad of the chance; I hope he don't make capital of that!”
“Evidently it hasn't made capital, as you call it, with you, Stephen. I didn't know you could be so ungenerous.”
“It isn't that, Elinor, but I am sure you never say the good things of me you find to say of him.”
“Perhaps you don't give me the occasion to.”
“Don't give you the occasion! I am just waiting to hear you launch out in commendation of me!”
“I don't mean—”
“You don't mean what?” he asked.
“I have no right to criticise you,” she said.
“I like that!” he laughed. “So I am a fit subject for criticism? Well, I want to be criticised. Come—it's a duty! Through neglect of the proper functions of criticism there is no telling how far wrong I may go. At home my uncle and Gibbs never say anything; affection must dull the sight terribly. I am sure you look at it differently, you are not blind to my imperfections.”