"She did begin one, but somehow it stuck fast." "You had better write it about yourselves, then," said John, "that being nearly all you study just now, I should think.

Many a novel contains the author and little else.

He explains himself in trying to describe human nature." "Human nature!" exclaimed Valentine; "we must have something grander than that to write of, I can tell you.

We have read so many books that turn it 'the seamy side outward,' and point out the joins as if it was a glove, that we cannot condescend to it." "No," said John, setting off on the subject again as if he was most seriously considering it, Valentine meanwhile smiling significantly on the others.

"It is a mistake to describe too much from within.