I have never had but one
critic, and I have trained him to be severe and uncharitable. Now if you
set me up on a high altar and wave the censers and cry 'glory, glory,
glory,' I'll lose my head. You have a terrible responsibility. I trust you
and I believe everything you say."
"I'll begin my duties as critic as soon as we go back to--to earth. But at
present I'm going to be selfish. You see it makes me happier to blind
myself to your faults."
They rode in silence for a few moments and then she said:
"I wish I had your feeling about--about democracy. I see your point of view
but I can't take it. I know that you are right but I'm afraid my education
is too strong for me. I don't believe in the people as you do. It's
beautiful when you say it. I like to hear you. And I would not wish you to
feel as I do. I'd hate it if you did. It would be stooping, grovelling for
you to make distinctions among people. But----"
"Oh, but I do make distinctions among people--so much so that I have never
had a friend in my life until you came. I have been on intimate terms with
many, but no one except you has been on intimate terms with me. Oh, yes,
I'm one of the most exclusive persons in the world."
"That sounds like autocracy, doesn't it?" laughed Marian.
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