George Bernard Shaw

“ Does the sun above us belong to it, Mary? Do the stars, the dreams that poets have left us, the realms that painters have shewn us, the thoughts you and I interchange sometimes when nothing has occurred to disturb your faith? ”

“ I wonder at a girl of your tastes and understanding having so little self-respect as to to let everybody see that your head has been turned by a creature without polish or appearance— not even a gentleman. And all this too while you are engaged to Adrian Herbert, his very opposite in every respect. I tell you, Mary, it's not proper: it's not decent. A tutor! If it were anybody else it would not matter so much—but Oh for shame, Mary, for shame."
"Aunt Jane —"
"Hush, for goodness sake. Here he is."
"Who?" cried Mary, turning quickly. But it was only Adrian, equipped for sketching. ”

“ Mrs Beatty colored. In temper and figure she was sufficiently like the cook of caricature to make the allusion disagreeable to her. "I always feel ridiculous and remorseful after a quarrel," continued Mary, "whether I am in the right or not—if there be any right in a quarrel." ”

“ If you leave your art, the world will beat you back to it. The world has not an ambition worth sharing, or a prize worth handling, Corrupt success, disgraceful failures, or sheeplike vegetation are all it has to offer. I prefer Art, which gives me a sixth sense of beauty, with self-respect: perhaps also an immortal reputation in return for honest endeavor in a labor of love." ”

“ Mary rose. "Aunt Jane," she said, "if you don't choose to treat me with due respect, as you have to treat other women, we must live apart. If you cannot understand my feelings, at least you know my age and position. This is the second time you have insulted me today." She went to the door, looking indignantly at her aunt as she passed. The look was returned by one of alarm, as though Mrs Beatty were going to cry again. Mary, seeing this, restrained her anger with an effort as she reached the threshold, stood still for a moment, and then came back to the table. ”

“ I am ashamed of myself for giving way, Mr Herbert. It was not your fault. I had rather not detain you."
Adrian hesitated. But seeing that he had better go, he took up his bundle of easels and stools, and went out with Mary, who did not even look at her aunt. They had gone some distance before either spoke. Then he said, "I hope Mrs Beatty has not been worrying you, Mary?"
"If she has, I do not think she will do it again without serious reflexion. I have found that the way to deal with worldly people is to frighten them by repeating their scandalous whisperings aloud. ”

“ Beatty.
"Aunt Jane was telling me," continued Mary, not heeding her, "that I was hankering after Mr Jack, and that my conduct was not decent. Have you ever remarked anything indecent about my conduct, Adrian?"
Herbert looked helplessly from her to her aunt in silence. Mrs. Beatty's confusion, culminating in a burst of tears, relieved him from answering.
"Do not listen to her," she said presently, striving to control herself. "She is an ungrateful girl."
"I have quoted her exact words," said Mary, unmoved; "and I am certainly not grateful for them. Come, Adrian. ”

“ Most women like men who are arrogant bullies. Let me see your sketch."
"It is not a masterpiece, as you may perceive."
"No. You are impatient, Mary, and draw with a stiff, heavy hand. Look before you into the haze. There is no such thing as an outline in the landscape." ”

“ But how can we help being worldly? I was born into the world: I have lived all my life in it: I have never seen or known a person or thing that did not belong to it. How can I be anything else than worldly? ”

“ Ah, what a pity it is that you have no mother, Mary! It is a greater loss to you than you think."
"It is time to go to meet papa," said Mary, rising. "I hope Uncle Richard will be at the station."
"Why? What do you want with your Uncle Richard?"
"Only to tell him that we are on good terms again, and that he may regard Mr Jack as his future bandmaster." She hurried away as she spoke; and Mrs Beatty' s protest was wasted on the old-fashioned sideboard. ”

“ Do you know, Adrian, lots of people whom we consider quite foreign to us spiritually, are very romantic in their own way. Aunt Jane cries over novels which make me laugh. Your mother reads a good deal of history, and she likes pictures, I remember when she used to sing very nicely. ”

“ I have been very happy in my art studies and I don't think I shall ever find a way of life more tranquil and pleasant than they led me to; but, for all that, I have a notion sometimes that it is a way of life which I am outgrowing. I am getting wickeder as I get older, very likely. ”

“ Miss Cairns writes to say that he has a singing class at their house, and three pianoforte pupils in the neighborhood."
"If I had known that," said Mrs Beatty, angrily, "I should not have left Windsor. It is of a piece with the rest of his conduct. However, no matter. We shall see how long he will keep his pupils after I go back."
"Why, aunt? Would you take away his livelihood because you do not happen to like him personally?"
"I have nothing to do with his livelihood. I do not consider it proper for him to be at Windsor, after being dismissed by Richard. ”