Alpha Book

I adore milk. A
nymph here and there--at your age, it is permitted. My dear friend, why
not be a farmer?"
Orsino laughed a little, in spite of himself.
"I suppose that is an artist's idea of farming."
"As near the truth as a farmer's idea of art, I daresay," retorted
Gouache.
"We see you paint, but you never see us at work. That is the
difference--but that is not the question. Whatever I propose, I get the
same answer. I imagine you will permit me to dislike farming as a
profession."
"For the sake of argument, only," said Gouache gravely.
"Good. For the sake of argument. We will suppose that I am myself in all
respects what I am, excepting that I am never to have any land, and only
enough money to buy cigarettes. I say, 'Let me take a profession. Let me
be a soldier.' Every one rises up and protests against the idea of a
Saracinesca serving in the Italian army. Why? Remember that your father
was a volunteer officer under Pope Pius Ninth.' It is comic. He spent an
afternoon on the Pincio for his convictions, and then retired into
private life.


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