Sketches New and Old
Page 46
by Mark Twain
THE CAPITOLINE VENUS
CHAPTER I
[Scene-An Artist's Studio in Rome.]
"Oh, George, I do love you!"
"Bless your dear heart, Mary, I know that--why is your father soobdurate?"
"George, he means well, but art is folly to him--he only understandsgroceries. He thinks you would starve me."
"Confound his wisdom--it savors of inspiration. Why am I not amoney-making bowelless grocer, instead of a divinely gifted sculptorwith nothing to eat?"
"Do not despond, Georgy, dear--all his prejudices will fade away as soonas you shall have acquired fifty thousand dol--"
"Fifty thousand demons! Child, I am in arrears for my board!"