You would be the first to drive me away from you if I did." "No," protested Carlino.
"Yes! And for the sake of producing something beautiful in literature you, also, take to nurturing these dreams, which are already enervating humanity to such a degree, already diverting people from the actualities of life! I do not like it at all.

An unbeliever like you! One who is convinced, as I myself am convinced, that we are merely soap-bubbles which sparkle for a moment, and then return not into nothing, but into _everything!_" "I, convinced ?" answered Carlino, in astonishment.

"I am not convinced of anything.

I am a doubter.

It is my system; you know that.