"There's nothing that man can do that I can't do," said Paul.
"You're twenty times better looking," said Jane.
"I have more intelligence," said Paul.
"Of course," said Jane.
"I'm going to be an actor," said Paul.
"Oh!" cried Jane in sudden rapture.

Then her sturdy common-sense asserted itself.

"But can you act ?" "I'm sure I could, if I tried.

You've only got to have the genius to start with and the rest is easy." As she did not dare question his genius, she remained silent.
"I'm going to be an actor," said he, "and when I'm not acting I shall be a poet." In spite of her adoration Jane could not forbear a shaft of raillery.
"You'll leave yourself some time to be a musician, won't you ?" He laughed.

His alert and retentive mind had seized, long ago, on Rowlatt's recommendation at the Little Bear Inn, and he had developed, perhaps half consciously, a half sense of humour.