But we do not write 'tales' now; we prepare 'human documents' and dissect souls." He broke off abruptly in the midst of his tirade.

"Do you know what these 'psychological studies,' that are so fashionable just now, always make me think of ?" he said.

"One monkey examining another monkey for fleas.
"And what, after all, does our dissecting pen lay bare ?" he continued.
"Human nature?
or merely some more or less unsavoury undergarment, disguising and disfiguring human nature?
There is a story told of an elderly tramp, who, overtaken by misfortune, was compelled to retire for a while to the seclusion of Portland.

His hosts, desiring to see as much as possible of their guest during his limited stay with them, proceeded to bath him.

They bathed him twice a day for a week, each time learning more of him; until at last they reached a flannel shirt.