--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"You see, I do a little in this way…" description: "\"“ \"You see, I do a little in this way myself,\" he explained; \"here is my most prized piece.\" He took from his pocket a snuffbox, which looked to be of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/robertson-davies-834_new-testament_you-see-i-do-a-little-in-this-way-myself_1385961.jpg" --- # "You see, I do a little in this way myself," he explained… ![“"You see, I do a little in this way myself," he explained; "here is my most prized piece." He took from his pocket a snuffbox, which looked to be of eighteenth-century workmanship. Inside the lid was an enamel picture of Leda and the Swan, and when a knob was pushed to and fro the swan thrust…” quote by Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/robertson-davies-834_new-testament_you-see-i-do-a-little-in-this-way-myself_1385961.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/robertson-davies-834_new-testament_you-see-i-do-a-little-in-this-way-myself_1385961.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/robertson-davies-834_new-testament_you-see-i-do-a-little-in-this-way-myself_1385961.jpg) > ““ "You see, I do a little in this way myself," he explained; "here is my most prized piece." He took from his pocket a snuffbox, which looked to be of eighteenth-century workmanship. Inside the lid was an enamel picture of Leda and the Swan, and when a knob was pushed to and fro the swan thrust itself between Leda's legs, which jerked in mechanical ecstasy. A nasty toy, I thought, but Urky doted on it. "We single gentlemen like to have these things," he said. "What do you do, Darcourt? Of course we know that Hollier has his beautiful Maria." To my astonishment Hollier blushed, but said nothing. His beautiful Maria? My Miss Theotoky, of New Testament Greek? I didn't like it at all.”” [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character boasts a mechanical erotic toy, revealing vanity, secret desires, and social posturing among gentlemen. **In simple terms:** A man shows off a fancy, erotic gadget, exposing pride and hidden motives. Key Takeaway Beware of flaunting personal indulgences. Themes vanity eroticism social status secrecy Mood irritated amused critical Type anecdotal literary When to use this quote - dating - social gatherings - private collections - interpersonal tension Key Concepts mechanical fetishism masculine identity power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What does the toy reveal about the owner’s character? - How do social expectations shape personal indulgence? A Different Perspective Such displays can alienate or embarrass others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [New testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-testament/) ## Related quotes > [Is it really so terrible being around us?" I blushed. "No," I said. "But . . . it's complicated. 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Current scholarship, to my knowledge, assumes that the material that constitutes the Old Testament was put together from various oral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/who-wrote-the-bible-current-scholarship-to-my-knowledge-assumes-that/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I'm a New Testament Christian. I reject and throw out titles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bright/i-m-a-new-testament-christian-i-reject-and-throw-out-titles/) [Bill Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bright/) > [“Consider these questions: Did Jesus ever suggest by word of example that we should aspire to acquire, let alone take over, the power of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-a-boyd/consider-these-questions-did-jesus-ever-suggest-by-word-of-example/) [Gregory A. 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Inside the lid was an enamel picture of Leda and the Swan, and when a knob was pushed to and fro the swan thrust itself between Leda's legs, which jerked in mechanical ecstasy. A nasty toy, I thought, but Urky doted on it. \"We single gentlemen like to have these things,\" he said. \"What do you do, Darcourt? Of course we know that Hollier has his beautiful Maria.\" To my astonishment Hollier blushed, but said nothing. His beautiful Maria? My Miss Theotoky, of New Testament Greek? 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