Witness.—“Because it got to be known that I was friendly with Oscar Wilde.”
Sir Edward.—“Did you leave the firm of your own accord?”
Witness.—“Yes.”
Sir Edward.—“Why?”
Witness.—“People employed there—my fellow-clerks—chaffed me about my acquaintance with Wilde.”
Sir Edward.—“In what way?”
Witness.—“They implied scandalous things. They called me ‘Mrs. Wilde’ and ‘Miss Oscar.’”
Sir Edward.—“So you left?”
Witness.—“I resolved to put an end to an intolerable position.”
Sir Edward.—“You were in bad odour at home too, I think?”