A DIALOGUE OF THE NIGHT.
Scene—The Shades at Nightfall. The Swiftian Ladies alone.
Lady Smart. Well, ladies; now let us have a cup of discourse to ourselves.
Lady Answerall. Tea and tattle! That is all the men used to think us fit for.
Lady Sparkish. But how times have changed—above stairs!
Lady Smart. Fie! Say rather below stairs, Lady Sparkish. Up and down are arbitrary or relative terms after all, in the universe. And I'm sure there are no fine drawing-room manners in the modern modish world.
Miss Notable. Heigho! Methinks, nevertheless, I would fain take the air of a London Season once again, however fallen off from the dear dead days of Mr. Spectator.
Lady Answerall. Hush, child! What would Charon say if he heard you? Though in truth I am much of your mind myself.
Lady Sparkish. Better their vivid vulgarity than our vapid gentility!