"I cannot, will not, use such a word!" she exclaimed, with tears in her eyes.
"But, my dear Mrs. Jones," entreated Mrs. Tweedie, "this is the work of Shakespeare, a classic."
"Umph!" grunted Mrs. Stout, who had discovered the word in question. "If such words are all right here, then our men folks are quoting the classics and the Bible most of the time."
"My dear ladies," interposed Miss Sawyer, "you do not seem to understand the sense in which the word is used; your view-point is incorrect."
"Well," said Mrs. Stout, "I know that when my husband quotes the classics folks most always see the point."
"Oh, bother!" interrupted Fanny Tweedie. "Let's skip the naughty words; I'm just dying to have this rehearsal over with."
"Fanny," reproved Mrs. Tweedie. "Do proceed, Mrs. Jones, I am sure that as we go on we will find a way out of the difficulty."
Mrs. Jones went on with her part, mouthing her lines meaninglessly.
"'The quality of Mercy is not strain'd—'" read Fanny Tweedie, in a strained voice.