He saw that she thought so, and perhaps it made him hobble slightly more, not vaingloriously, but because he was such an artist.

He ceased to be an artist suddenly, however, when Grizel made this unexpected remark: "How vain you are!" Tommy sat down, quite pale.

"Did you come here to say that to me, Grizel ?" he inquired, and she nodded frankly over her high collar of fur.

He knew it was true as Grizel said it, but though taken aback, he could bear it, for she was looking wistfully at him, and he knew well what Grizel's wistful look meant; so long as women admired him Tommy could bear anything from them.

"God knows I have little to be vain of," he said humbly.
"Those are the people who are most vain," she replied; and he laughed a short laugh, which surprised her, she was so very serious.
"Your methods are so direct," he explained.