"  I  don't  think  I  shall  be  so  good  to  you  an-
other time,"  she  said.  "  It  tires  you  as  well  as
me,  and  then  you  don't  talk ! "  And  she  laughed
a  little.  "And  I  believe  I  like  your  talk  even
better  than  your  picture,  though  I  don't  doubt
that's  going  to  be  good.  But  I  don't  want  you  to
be  entirely  drowned  in  it ! "

"  That's  the  worst  of  work,"  said  Basil,  lean-
ing forward  and  looking  smilingly  attentive.  "  It
prevents  one  from  doing  more  interesting
things."

"  Not  more  interesting  to  you.  I  watched  your
face  that  last  half  hour,  and  I  never  saw  you  so
absorbed  in  anything.  You  change  quite  amaz-
ingly— you  look  keener,  harder,  and  all  the
friendliness  goes  out  of  you.  I  don't  think  I  like
you  as  much  that  way.  But  I  believe  it's  the  real
you,  and  the  other  thing  is  only  a  social  form.
