Mrs. C. (still stirring her coffee). What should you have said? Why—why—“those hundred dollars,” of course.
Mr. C. (in a grumbling tone). It’s too blamed bad that a man can’t speak as he wants to in his own home.
Mrs. C. (sipping her coffee). You may, John, providing that you follow the rules of grammatical English, as are observed by our best society.
Mr. C. (less sulkily, still fingering his coffee spoon). What do you mean by our best society, Martha?
Mrs. C. (a little perplexed). Our best society? Oh—yes—er—why, our best society means those that are in the best society—those who are the recognized leaders of society—the men and women who are socially “it.”
Mr. C. (quickly). Martha! “Socially it”? I am surprised to hear such an expression fall from your lips. “Socially it”! Why, what a vulgar phrase. You should have said, “Our best society consists of those men and women who are the leaders of élite society!”
Mrs. C. (with much dignity). Your coffee must be cold by this time, John. Let me give you another cup?
Mr. C. (rather gleefully). No, Martha, this coffee is all right; but haven’t you forgotten something?
Mrs. C. (still with dignity). What is it I have forgotten?
Mr. C. (cheerfully). The milk, Martha, the milk. Please pass the milk.