Gertrude Stein can be viewed as "cocky," or self indulgent, but I am amused and have great respect for her-what I view to be-un-checked confidence. She knows she is a genius and has realized other people share the same sentiment towards her. One part of her writing where I stopped to re-read and even chuckled at was when she spoke of editor Elliot Paul who said he, himself was certain that Gertrude Stein could be a best-seller in France, to which Gertrude Stein remarked, "It seems very likely that his prediction is to be fulfilled." pg.56. I am not sure if she viewed the matter the same way before she indeed became a best-seller in France, but after the time reading this novel, I believe she made that exact statement before her fame, or success in France occurred. I applaud her excellence and confidence.