"All one's smoothest, your ladyship means."
"Well, well, no falling back, Mr. Grip, I beg you."
"I did my best, your ladyship; for I really thought all one's most mendacious."
"Now you are in the humor of contradiction again; and there one gets entangled so easily, you know."
"I only think that when one does not agree with what is said, and keeps silent, one lies."
"Then people offer up to good form, without which no social intercourse can exist."
"Yes, what do they offer up? Truth!"
"Perhaps more correctly a little of their vanity, an opportunity of exhibiting some bright and shining talent; that tempts young men greatly, I believe."
"Possible, not impossible at any rate," he admitted.
"Do you see?" But then aunt said, for she never abandons her text: "A little good manners is not out of place; and when I see a bright young student stand talking with his hands in his pockets, or riding backwards on a chair, then, whether the one concerned takes my motherly candor ill or not, I always try by a little hint to adjust the defects in his education."