"You? . . . You also have talent, but" . . . he added softly, "but . . ."
"There are no 'buts' about it! You are an absolute idiot. . . . You have no conception whatever about acting, or plays, or artists. You are yourself a great artist, oh, such a great artist! Do you remember how you played the part of Francis in The Robbers? . . . Do you? . . . If you don't, I'll tell you . . . You played it like a shoemaker, like a circus clown! . . ."
Cabinski sprang up as though someone had struck him with a whip.
"That's a lie! The famous Krolikowski played it in the same way; they advised me to imitate him, and I did . . ."
"Krolikowski played like you? . . . You're a fool, my artist!"
"Pepa, you had better keep quiet, or I'll tell you what you are!"
"O tell me, please do tell me!" she cried out in a rage.
"Nothing great, nor even anything small, my dear."
"Tell me plainly what you mean . . ."
"Well then, I'll tell you that you are not a Modrzejewska," laughed
Cabinski.