"No, Iris. Philosophy, mathematics, physics, metaphysics, or science of any kind have I never learned, except only the science of Heraldry, which you have taught me, with a few other things."
"Oh!" She wondered how a man could exist at all without learning these things. "Not any science at all? How can any one live without some science?"
"I knew very well," he said, "that as soon as I was found out I should be despised."
"Oh, no, not despised. But it seems such a pity—"
"There is another kind of life, Iris, which you do not know. You must let me teach you. It is the life of Art. If you would only condescend to show the least curiosity about me, Iris, I would try to show you something of the Art life."
"How can I show curiosity about you, Arnold? I feel none."
"No; that is just the thing which shames me. I have felt the most lively curiosity about you, and I have asked you thousands of impertinent questions."
"Not impertinent, Arnold. If you want to ask any more, pray do. I dare say you cannot understand my simple life."
"And you ask me nothing at all about myself. It isn't fair, Iris."
"Why should I? I know you already."