shout,--

Triple ass!"

And he answered in his politest accent,--

"I admit it. I am a learned man. I do my best to apologize for it. I

scientifically despise science. Ignorance is a reality on which we feed;

science is a reality on which we starve. In general one is obliged to

choose between two things--to be learned and grow thin, or to browse and

be an ass. O gentlemen, browse! Science is not worth a mouthful of

anything nice. I had rather eat a sirloin of beef than know what they

call the psoas muscle. I have but one merit--a dry eye. Such as you see

me, I have never wept. It must be owned that I have never been

satisfied--never satisfied--not even with myself. I despise myself; but

I submit this to the members of the opposition here present--if Ursus is

only a learned man, Gwynplaine is an artist."

He groaned again,--

Grumphll!"

And resumed,--

"Grumphll again! it is an objection. All the same, I pass it over. Near

Gwynplaine, gentlemen and ladies, is another artist, a valued and

distinguished personage who accompanies us--his lordship Homo, formerly

697

The Man Who Laughs