What is he?
– A man, of course.
Yes, but what does he do?
– He lives and is a man.
Oh quite! But he must work. He must have a job of some sort.
– Why?
Because obviously he’s not one of the leisured classes.
– I don’t know. He has lots of leisure. And he makes quite beautiful chairs.
There you are then! He’s a cabinet maker.
– No, no.
Anyhow a carpenter and a joiner.
– Not at all.
But you said so.
– What did I say?
That he made chairs and was a joiner and carpenter.
– I said he made chairs, but I did not say he was a carpenter.
All right then, he is just an amateur?
– Perhaps! Would you say a thrush was a professional flautist, or just an amateur?
I’d say it was just a bird.
– And I say he is just a man.
All right! You always did quibble?

D.H. Lawrence: What is he?