He never speaks of his painting to people at large; he's too clever for that.

But he has a little girl--a dear little girl; he does speak of her.

He's devoted to her, and if it were a career to be an excellent father he'd be very distinguished.

But I'm afraid that's no better than the snuff-boxes; perhaps not even so good.

Tell me what they do in America," pursued Madame Merle, who, it must be observed parenthetically, did not deliver herself all at once of these reflexions, which are presented in a cluster for the convenience of the reader.