"But speak all the thought. Nothing prevents truth from either of us to-night."
"All of what thought?"
"We are not fools, only rich."
"Well, I lower the bucket, then; and if I can bring truth to the top of the well you will promise not to blush on beholding her?"
"I promise."
"It is maddening and unhealthy to be rich and idle. The rich and idle do such impossible things in the wild effort to pass away the dragging hours. Society is not made up of fools: rather knaves and madmen. Money and idleness result in a mild attack of insanity."
"Thanks."
"You are welcome. Shall I lower truth along with the butter of flattery?"
"You may lower the butter of flattery. So that is how the great public looks upon us?"