Also the direction, to the architect about the country house:
Fair Client. "I want it to be nice and baronial, Queen Anne and Elizabethan, and all that; kind of quaint and Nuremburgy you know—regular Old English, with French windows opening to the lawn, and Venetian blinds, and sort of Swiss balconies, and a loggia. But I'm sure you know what I mean!" (November 29, 1890).
And farther on in the Punch volumes:—
"O, Mr. Robinson, does not it ever strike you, in listening to sweet music, that the Rudiment of Potential Infinite Pain is subtly woven into the tissue of our keenest joy" (December 2, 1891).
But perhaps before closing this chapter we should give some examples of drawing-room conversation pure and simple, without reference to any sort of craze, as specimens of their author's skill. Familiarity with the artist's characters will enable the reader to appreciate the note of a shy man's agony in some, and of feminine spite in others.
Among the "Speeches to be lived down, if possible," there are these:
She. "Let me introduce you to a very charming lady, to take down to supper."
He. "A—thanks—no. I never eat supper."
"By George! I am so hungry I can't talk."
Fair Hostess (on hospitable thoughts intent). "Oh, I'm so glad!"
"Things one would rather have left unsaid":