Sir Wilfull. I’m very well I thank you, aunt—however, I thank you for your courteous offer. ’Sheart, I was afraid you would have been in the fashion too, and have remembered to have forgot your relations. Here’s your cousin Tony, belike, I mayn’t call him brother for fear of offence.
Lady Wishfort. O he’s a rallier, nephew—my cousin’s a wit; and your great wits always choose to rally their best friends. When you have been abroad, nephew, you’ll understand raillery better. [Fainall and Mrs. Marwood talk apart.
Sir Wilfull. Why then let him hold his tongue in the meantime; and rail when that day comes.
Congreve, The Way of the World
(2) Mrs. Candour. What do you think of Miss Simper?
Sir Benjamin Backbite. Why, she has very pretty teeth.
Lady Teazle. Yes, and on that account, when she is neither speaking nor laughing (which very seldom happens), she never absolutely shuts her mouth, but leaves it always on a jar, as it were—thus—[Shows her teeth.
Mrs. Candour. How can you be so ill-natured?
Lady Teazle. Nay, I allow even that’s better than the pains Mrs. Prim takes to conceal her losses in front. She draws her mouth till it positively resembles the aperture of a poor’s-box, and all her words appear to slide out edgewise as it were thus: How do you do, madam? Yes, madam.[Mimics.
Lady Sneerwell. Very well, Lady Teazle; I see you can be a little severe.