And I am not a man easily pleased with my own endeavours, Mrs.Baske.I work with little or no hope of ever satisfying myself--that is another thing.

I have heard men speak of my kind of art as 'the noble pursuit of Truth,' and so on.

I don't care for such phrases; they may mean something, but as a rule come of the very spirit so opposed to my own--that which feels it necessary to justify art by bombast.

The one object I have in life is to paint a bit of the world just as I see it.

I exhaust myself in vain toil; I shall never succeed; but I am right to persevere, I am right to go on pleasing myself." Miriam listened in astonishment.
"With such views, Mr.Mallard, it is fortunate that you happen to find pleasure in painting pictures." "Which, at all events, do people no harm." She turned upon him suddenly.
"Do you encourage my brother in believing that his duty in life is to please himself ?" "It has been my effort," he replied gravely.
"I don't understand you," Miriam said, in indignation.
"No, you do not.