“I want your life to be a great success.”
“Do you think anyone’s life can be that?”
“That is a long discussion; if we seek the bottom of things, none is less futile than another. But what passes for success, wealth and renown, are easily within your reach.... If it be too much trouble to raise your hand, let me shake the branches, and they’ll fall into your lap.”
“I wonder if they would seem as precious to me when I had got them as they do now. Once I did not know what it was to despond, but I lost my pupils last winter, and everything seemed hopeless. I am not vain or egotistic; I do not pine for applause and wealth, but I should like to sing.... I’ve heard so much about my voice that I’m curious to know what people will think of it.”
“Once I was afraid that you were without ambition,
