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 or sculpture; but we are working toward them, and in one or two branches of art I think we may be thought pretty completely arisen."

"Indeed, yes," she responded generously. "In New York there is some interesting architecture quite native and not borrowed from us, and I saw some fine collections of paintings. I am sure you will have an American art some day."

"I think we already have," he said. "That is, I think we have in one or two branches. Ah—the stage"

"Yes. Yes, truly!" she agreed with a gracious show of enthusiasm. "I saw some of your actors, some of the best, I was told, though I do not remember their names. They were excellent. Some of them might be thought of highly if they would come to France and act there, I am sure. It was a pleasure."

He frowned, seeming to concentrate upon the expression of his thought. "I meant not only the acting, but the whole art of the theatre. I really think we have arrived in that. Just in these last few years we seem to have made a really tremendous advance. Until even that recently our American theatre was frankly—well, lamentable."