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17

tapped the toe of his patent-leather boot with a tasselled
thick
malacca-cane. "How English you are, Basil! If one puts forward an idea to a real Englishman — always a rash thing to do — he never dreams of considering whether the idea is right or wrong. The only thing he considers of any importance is whether one is sincere in putting it forward. believes it oneself. Now the value of an idea has nothing whatsoever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it, Indeed the probabilities are that the more insincere the man is, the more purely intellectual will the idea be, as in that case it will not be coloured by either his wants, his stories, or his prejudices. However, I don't propose to discuss either politics, sociology, or metaphysics with you. I like persons better than principles. Tell me more about Dorian Gray. How often do you see him?"

"Every day, Harry. I couldn't not be happy
here
if I didn't not see him every day. Of course, sometimes it is only for a few minutes. But a few minutes with somebody one worships mean a great deal."

"But
And
you don't really worship him?"