LADY FLO (_irritated_): Don't cough!
SIR W. (_continues coughing_): Well! it's a long story.
LADY FLO: Haven't you a lozenge?
SIR W.: Never mind the lozenge! The story, I say, is a long one.
LADY FLO: Long or short, I must hear it!
SIR W.: I'll tell it to you, later on.
LADY FLO: I begin to suspect you can't tell me all about it,
simply--because you _can't_!
SIR W.: Oh! I can! I could!
LADY FLO: Oh, no, you can't. You couldn't, and you ought to be ashamed
of yourself!
SIR W.: You are going just a little bit too far, Florence.
LADY FLO: Oh, no; it was _you_ who went too far. Why, I knew it by the
look on your face the instant I came into the room!
SIR W. (_aside_): She is going very much too far. (_Aloud_) Nonsense!
LADY FLO: I beg pardon?
SIR W.: I repeat "Nonsense." And _ridiculous nonsense_!
LADY FLO: Then, how dare you?
SIR W.: You forget yourself strangely.
LADY FLO: Do not attempt to adopt your nephew's manner to his wife
towards me!
SIR W.: It is _you_, my love, who are unfortunate in your choice of a
manner this morning; and although pettishness in a young girl like Kitty
has a certain little charm of its own----
LADY FLO: Yes!