I'm the discreet husband, I keep in the background.
Mabel.
Why don't you praise me instead of praising yourself? People would think it so much nicer.
John.
On the contrary, they'd be convinced that when we were alone I beat you. Besides, I couldn't honestly say that you kept in the background.
Hilda.
[To Basil.] I feel rather ashamed at taking you unawares.
Basil.
I was only slacking. I was cutting a book.
Mabel.