And from the first invasion of that shocking idea matters progressed rather rapidly with the last of the Seagraves.
He said uneasily to Duane, once: "Are you going in seriously for painting ?" "I _am_ in," observed Duane drily.
"Professionally ?" "Sure thing.

God hates an amateur." "What are you after ?" persisted Scott.

"Fame ?" "Yes; I need it in my business." "Are you contemplating a velvet coat and bow tie, and a bunch of the elect at your heels ?--ratty men, and pop-eyed young women whose coiffure needs weeding ?" Duane laughed.

"Are they any more deadly than our own sort?
Why endure either?
Because you are developing into a country squire, you don't have to marry Maud Muller." And he quoted Bret Harte: "For there be women fair as she, Whose verbs and nouns do more agree." "You don't have to wallow in a profession, you know." "But why the mischief do you want to paint professionally ?" inquired Scott, with unsatisfied curiosity.

"It isn't avarice, is it ?" "I expect to hold out for what my pictures are worth, if that's what you mean by avarice.