And I
think it would be very interesting to know what the victim of a
witticism has to say."

Mrs. Curwen: "I should think you would know very often, Doctor."

Lawton: "Ah, now I should like to know what the victim of a compliment
says!"

Mrs. Curwen: "He bows his thanks." Dr. Lawton makes a profound
obeisance, to which Mrs. Curwen responds in burlesque.

Miller: "We all envy you, Doctor."

Mrs. Miller: "Oh yes. Mrs. Curwen never makes a compliment without
meaning it."

Mrs. Curwen: "I can't say that quite, my dear. I should be very sorry to
mean all the civil things I say. But I never flatter gentlemen of a
certain age."

Mrs. Miller, tittering ineffectively: "I shall know what to say to Mr.
Miller after this."

Mrs. Crashaw: "Well, if you haven't got the man, Mrs. Somers, you _have_
got his picture, haven't you?"

Mrs. Somers: "Yes; it's on my writing-desk in the library. Let me--"

Lawton: "No, no; don't disturb yourself! We wish to tear it to pieces
without your embarrassing presence. Will you take my arm, Mrs. Crashaw?"

Mrs. Bemis: "Oh, let us all go and see it!"

Roberts: "Aren't you coming, Willis?"

Campbell, without looking round: "Thank you, I've seen it."

Mrs. Somers, whom the withdrawal of her other guests has left alone with
him: "How could you tell such a fib?"

Campbell: "I could tell much worse fibs than that in such a cause."

Mrs. Somers: "What cause?"

Campbell: "A lost one, I'm afraid. Will you answer my question, Amy?"

Mrs. Somers: "Did you ask me any?"

Campbell: "You know I did--before those people came in."

Mrs. Somers: "Oh, _that_! Yes. I should like to ask _you_ a question
first."

Campbell: "Twenty, if you like."

Mrs. Somers: "Why do you feel authorized to call me by my first name?"

Campbell: "Because I love you. Now will you answer me?"

Mrs. Somers, dreamily: "I didn't say I would, did I?"

Campbell, rising, sadly: "No."

Mrs. Somers, mechanically taking the hand he offers her: "Oh! What--"

Campbell: "I'm going; that's all."

Mrs. Somers: "So soon?"

Campbell: "Yes; but I'll try to make amends by not coming back soon--or
at all."

Mrs. Somers: "You mustn't!"

Campbell: "Mustn't what?"

Mrs. Somers: "You mustn't keep my hand. Here come some more people. Ah,
Mrs. Canfield! Miss Bayly! So very nice of you, Mrs. Wharton! Will you
have some tea?"

VII

_MRS. CANFIELD, MISS BAYLY, MRS. WHARTON, and the OTHERS_

Mrs. Wharton: "No, thank