[_Leaving him._] Oh, I've no patience with you! [_Spluttering._] Upon my word, your hatred of publicity is--is--is--is morbid. It's worse than morbid--it's Victorian. [_Sitting in the chair by the small table._] There! I can't say anything severer. PHILIP. [_Advancing._] Yes, but wait a moment, Robbie. Who says I have a hatred of publicity? _I_ haven't said anything so absurd. Don't I write for the public? ROOPE. Exactly! PHILIP. [_Standing near_ ROOPE.] I have no dislike for publicity--for fame. By George, sir, I covet it, if I can win it honestly and decently! ROOPE. [_Shrugging his shoulders._] Ah----! PHILIP. And I humble myself before the men and women of my craft--and they are many--who succeed in winning it in that fashion, or who are content to remain obscure. But for the rest--the hustlers of the pen, the seekers after mere blatant applause, the pickers-up of cheap popularity--I've a profound contempt for them and their methods. ROOPE. You can't deny the ability of some of 'em. PHILIP. Deny it! Of course I don't deny it. But no amount of ability, of genius if you will, absolves the follower of any art from the obligation of conducting himself as a modest gentleman---- ROOPE. Ah, there's where you're so hopelessly Victorian and out o' date! PHILIP. Well, that's my creed; and, whether I've talent or not, I'd rather snuff out, when my time comes, neglected and a pauper than go back on it. [_Walking away and pacing the room._] Oh, but I'm not discouraged, my dear Robbie--not a scrap! I'm not discouraged, though you do regard me as a dismal failure. ROOPE. [_Deprecatingly._] No, no! PHILIP. I shall collar the great public yet. You mark me, I shall collar 'em yet, and without stooping to the tricks and devices you advocate! [_Returning to_ ROOPE.] Robbie---- ROOPE. [_Rising._] Hey? PHILIP. [_Laying his hands on_ ROOPE_'s shoulders._] If my next book--my autumn book--isn't a mighty go, I--I'll eat my hat. ROOPE. [_Sadly._] Dear excellent friend, perhaps you'll be obliged to, for nourishment. PHILIP. Ha, ha, ha! [_Taking_ ROOPE_'s arm._] Oddly enough--oddly enough, the story deals with the very subject we've been discussing. ROOPE. [_Without enthusiasm._] Indeed? PHILIP. Yes. You hit on the title a few minutes ago. ROOPE. Really? PHILIP. When you were talking of Ottoline and her people. [_Dropping his voice._] "The Big Drum."