“Why Jack, have I been the joy and spirit of the company?”
“No, indeed, you have not,” acknowledges the Captain.
“Have I been lively and entertaining?” asks Faulkland.
“O, upon my word, I acquit you,” answers his friend.
“Have I been full of wit and humor?” pursues the jealous lover.
“No, faith, to do you justice,” says Absolute, “you have been confoundedly stupid.”
The Captain could hardly have missed this rejoinder; it was fairly put into his mouth by the wily dramatist.
Again observe how carefully the way is prepared for the repartee in the following bit of dialogue from “The School for Scandal”: Sir Peter Teazle has married a country girl and brought her up to London, where she shows an unexpected zest for the pleasures of the town. He is remonstrating with her about her extravagance and fashionable ways.
Sir Peter: “Madam, I pray had you any of these elegant expenses when you married me?”
Lady Teazle: “Lud, Sir Peter, would you have me be out of the fashion?”