"Her genius--if she has genius--has not found itself, and the notes she strikes are all mere groping attempts at a perfect self-expression.

Yet, undoubtedly, she has done a few fine things," he admitted with professional caution.
"But if, as you say, her emotional self does not go into her poems, what becomes of it ?" enquired Trent, with a curiosity too impersonal to be vulgar.

"For she, finely tempered as she is, suggests nothing so much as a beautiful golden flame." Adams started, and flashed upon the other a glance as incisive as a search-light.
"Then you, too, recognise her beauty ?" he asked in a tone which had a kindly jealousy.
"Am I a fool ?" protested Trent, laughing.
'You heard Kemper ?" "I heard him proclaim himself an ass.

Well, let him, let him.

Would you hand out one of your precious first editions to the crowd ?" "You're right, you're right," assented Adams, and followed his remark with a sudden change of subject.