"Ah!—ah!"
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, my dove. I was only thinking that it wasn't the ribbon that makes folks look lovely, but the person who wears it. You would look beautiful in any ribbon."
"Why, my dear, that may be very true, but still one ought to look as well as one can, you know, for the credit of one's maker."
"Oh, yes, yes, but I was only thinking—"
"Thinking of what? Bless me, Mr. Wheeler, how mystifying you are to-night, to be sure. What do you mean by this conduct? Was ever a woman so pestered and tormented with a fool of a man, who looks like an owl in an ivy bush for all the world, or a crow peeping into a marrowbone."
"My duck, how can you say so?"
"Duck indeed? Keep your ducks to yourself. Hoity toity. Duck, indeed. You low good-for-nothing—"
"My dear, my dear. I was only thinking, and not in the least wishing to offend."
"But you do offend me, you nasty insinuating, sneering wretch.—What were you thinking about? Tell me this moment."